JAYAKRISHNAN NAIR WRITES that secrecy about SARS is costing the Chinese dearly: “The Chinese may value secrecy above the life of their citizens. But the Capitalist who trades with China values his life more than money.”

Then there’s this: “One wonders why China was not more proactive in this affair? Its reputation is not actually stellar among fellow Asian countries, many of whom see China as a hegemonic power. But this case will reaffirm the view that China is not to be trusted.”