This new piece from Peter has several problems, which are not uncommon in foreign (and more generally, popular) reporting about COVID in China. Thread for a quick summary. https://twitter.com/marauder1008/status/1313640056179974144

The most conspicuous problem is the lack of willingness to dig deeper and blame on censorship. Yes there is censorship, which makes things difficult for flow of information. However there have been quite a few very decent reports in Chinese, if one has the patience to dig them.

A crucial point missing from Peter's report is the role of the "direct reporting system" 直报系统. Multiple Chinese media outlets have done some terrific work on this topic, including 第一财经 财新 etc.
Another aspect is the important persons at the early outbreak. Peter

briefly mentioned the late Dr. Li Wenliang. In terms of sounding the early alarms, and getting silenced, there are multiple other figures who should be covered as well and in greater detail. These people include Dr. Ai Fen and Dr. Zhang Dingyu for example.
Peter is always great

with his calm narration and focus on the "ordinary people". However in the early days of COVID, it is important to give a proper account of major incidents and notable people, which is valuable in not only arousing public emotions, but contribute to the general knowledge.

While criticizing the govt for coverup and censorship, his article hasn't really covered the major factors that are *not* censored. It's a pity.

Another point I want to contend is his evaluation of Fang Fang. Fang Fang is not an honest writer. Her diary is filled with

inaccurate claims aimed at indulging the readers in grief and shock, and when people point out these problems she is very reluctant to admit her mistakes, while insinuating her critics to be "little pinkies" "wumaos". I have followed her accounts for a long time. She was never

really censored, and her wechat and weibo accounts are freely accessible. But I'm not surprised now she lied to Peter again about the "heavy-handed" treatment she faced which was basically constant back and forth with Hu Xijin. Well, Hu even said explicitly that he is against

censoring Fang.
Just two quick examples: Fang said "I saw a picture from a friend. Crematoriums were filled with ownerless cellphones. The picture is so saddening." The truth is crematoriums don't handle the belongings of deceased in such disrespectful way. Also against pandemic

protocols.
Example 2: Fang claimed that a group of party members, at the order of the party, went into a community to provide volunteer service. However they just took a bunch of photos like tourists, after which they simply threw away their PPE into trash bins. The truth was

These volunteers, at lunch break, took a group photo before they took shift. And the PPE they threw into rubbish bins were bought by themselves and after the shift.
Did Fang Fang apologize for making non-factual claims? She simply called critics bad names.
There are more

examples and I think it is OK to make mistakes. However when refusal to stand corrected happens again and again, in a very defensive manner, people are justified to feel upset.
Anyway this thread already went a bit long.
I am grateful for Peter's work during these trying times.