One would imagine that with the world looking at China very closely, and observing everything they do, Wuhan would think of closing down their wet markets at least for some time. Well, one would be wrong.

© Reuters

On the 8th of April, the Chinese state government lifted all lockdown measures in the province of Hubei and the city of Wuhan. Normal life slowly, but steadily, was coming back, although the citizens, as reported by a number of reputable media outlets were wary of the situation. All that concern and wariness, it seems, has been chucked out of the window.

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Although there are certain provinces that have actually banned the infamous wet markets, where exotic animals are butchered and sold for their meat, Wuhan has reopened their wet markets, the place where it is believed, the current strain of the novel coronavirus was first found.

This comes on the back of the news that the Chinese government had finally classified dogs as pets, and not livestock, meaning, they couldn't be sold for their meat. The reopening of Wuhan's wet market, however, is sending mixed signals all over the world. It is like China is dancing to the tunes of 'One Step Forward And Two Step Back' by Desert Rose Bands.

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Although the market where it is assumed that the virus actually broke, the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market is shut, Wuhan's largest wet market, Baishazhou, is operational. While the CCP, or the Communist Party of China has claimed that there are strict regulations and rules in place, reports from the ground paint a different picture.

Wet markets already returning in Wuhan and other parts of China. Absolute insanity. @jaglancy



pic.twitter.com/8GWEf3FPZE — Michael Heaver (@Michael_Heaver) April 9, 2020

Although it has not been ascertained as of yet, it is largely believed that the current strain of the virus that has caused one of the worst pandemics of all time, originated from the wet markets of Wuhan, the city where the contagion broke. Still, there are several reports, which quote Chinese state authorities as saying that the virus indeed originated from these markets.

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People on Twitter, meanwhile, have gone berserk. Some users are calling for the United Nations and the World Health Organisation to unconditionally and unequivocally ban the existence of these wet markets, or at the very least stop the selling of exotic meats.

WHO (World health organisation): The closure of the Wet Markets in China - Sign the Petition! https://t.co/GhT1JXCYPh via @Change — Phaedra (@PhaedraXTeddy) April 6, 2020

We have to think very seriously about what we're willing to change in order to create a safer society on the other side of this. Something very important: we need to end animal factory farming. https://t.co/u8iBPzw8Ow — Marianne Williamson (@marwilliamson) April 9, 2020

While several other users, such as these, claim that the WHO is inadequate in dealing with this crisis because of certain political and economic reasons.

WHO AN EXPENSIVE LAME DUCK



The World Health Organisation's deranged defence of China's notorious wet markets, reported on Tuesday, beggars belief. @australian #auspolhttps://t.co/3HdWlsAkPI — Pauline Hanson 🇦🇺 (@PaulineHansonOz) April 14, 2020

The WHO supports the reopening of notorious Chinese wet markets

Despite strong evidence suggesting COVID-19 originated from a Wuhan market

Both SARS and Swine flu also

Our PM has asked for transparency

The WHO is a lame duck

Unwilling to challenge repeat offender China#auspol pic.twitter.com/oO65byqtmx — Sam Davis (@SamDavi99667843) April 13, 2020

Then there are also reports doing the rounds that the Chinese state authorities have proposed tax breaks to traders who will export their exotic meats to other parts of the world.

#Gravitas | A report has claimed that animal traders in China will be given tax breaks to export wild animals.

Is China now exporting its wet markets to the world? @palkisu brings you the story pic.twitter.com/BPDulylrtM — WION (@WIONews) April 13, 2020

At a time where there is an ever-growing mistrust towards the Chinese government by practically everyone, these actions are very disconcerting. The Chinese government, as well as the people of China, really need to step up and work with the rest of the world to put an end to this.

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