Singapore’s thousands of migrant workers make up the bulk of Covid-19 cases in the city-state.

Tackling a deadly disease is a challenge enough without old prejudices standing in the way of cooperation.

By never conceding a mistake – whether over Tiananmen or now in Hong Kong – the cost is a loss of people’s trust.

The drama reflects one of China's truths: it relies on the moral compasses of Party bureaucrats to fight corruption rather than a robust legal system.