The world was initially shocked by the brutality of China’s lockdown to deal with the outbreak of a novel coronavirus in Wuhan. When the virus quickly encircled the globe, other countries realised their health systems could be overwhelmed unless they ‘flattened the curve’ to slow the surging infections. China’s response was reinterpreted as brutally effective – ‘tough love’ – and worthy of emulation, even though its claimed success based on official figures is implausible.