Maybe China was afraid of the possibility that it might be responsible, and might have to pay cumulative lawsuits that it couldn't afford. Maybe the potential of unaffordable lawsuits created a perverse incentive?,(reply>), The Belt and Road initiative is money spent on other nations, but it's a long term investment with the intentions of recovering ROI. There really are concerns that China isn't spending enough on its own people. Although China is in it for the long haul and is willing to suffer in the short term for a better long term. Paying off lawsuits over decades is a long term problem that they can't afford to pay off in the short term.,(reply>), About $70k/year is sufficient for a good life if someone manages their resources wisely. China has a low GDP per capita. There are some very rich people in China, but far more poor people. Xi clearly cares about his legacy, since he basically violated a treaty with the UK over Hong Kong, despite not needing to if they just waited. Lifting more of China out of poverty within his lifetime requires every cent spent on their own people and national security. Also China cares a lot about saving face, no matter the cost.,(reply>), Even if there is no legal mechanism for enforcing that class action lawsuit, China probably thinks it would fare better internationally looking shady than actually being found guilty. There really isn't much financial consequence for not being transparent, while there are a ton of negative financial consequences for being transparent like South Africa was about Omicron. The incentives are all wrong.,(reply>), Think about the cost of a class action lawsuit for 7.9 billion people with their medical bills and loss of income during quarantine.