News that China considers our uncensored free media as the cause of deteriorating international relations is alarming (China’s panda-hug rant, 3/3). Perhaps a free press in mainland China might more succinctly identify the ailing, morose policies of the Communist Party, rather than relying on the international press to advocate a truthful version of events for the historical record. To be fair to China, news of a new viral disease in Australia today would be carefully managed by the health organisations, with individual doctors discouraged from giving their own perceptions. Public hysteria can cost lives. The Communist Party of China, however, were too secretive, deceptive and extremely cruel to those who did offer warnings before the epidemic was officially acknowledged. The Daily Telegraph is right to advocate for the principles of truthfulness and decency. The Chinese government is a worthy recipient of criticism, but not their suppressed people who labour under the government’s imposed restrictions in a life of manual and ideological slavery. Alan Sexton, North Parramatta 4Mar2021.