5 ways the coronavirus is changing how China uses tech

The outbreak of the deadly coronavirus in China has left millions stranded at home, wreaked havoc on many industries, and could impact China’s economy for a long time.

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For those stuck at home and trying to avoid infection, it’s also changed how people use technology. Tech companies have been forced to get creative in how they provide their services. Those that previously relied on physical gatherings, such as gyms, are now trying out virtual offerings.

Here are some of the biggest changes in China tech over the last month.

Food delivery without seeing the delivery driver

With people stuck at home and food supplies being rapidly snatched up from stores, brave food-delivery personnel have stepped up to feed the hungry and the lazy alike.

But like everyone else, couriers have to protect themselves from the coronavirus. Meituan was among the first to introduce “contactless” food delivery, which basically means leaving the meals at a designated area for the customer to pick up. The company also installed meal retrieval cupboards around hospitals for Wuhan medical staff.

Last week, KFC and Pizza Hut started offering the same service, and the measures are going beyond food delivery. Several ecommerce companies will also offer contactless delivery to avoid infections, according to announcements from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce.

Classes go online

Imagine taking your school classes through YouTube. This is basically what’s happening in China, where video site Youku has started offering classes for primary and secondary school students after classes were suspended because of the virus.

Other online education companies have also offered free classes during the epidemic, including New Oriental Group, China’s largest private education company, and English learning-focused platform VIPKid.

More unusual, though, is that gyms are also going virtual to help customers stay fit. After fitness clubs were forced to close shop, local media reported on a surge of gyms offering live fitness classes on video platforms like Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok.

Movies skip cinemas for video platforms

The coronavirus has been merciless to cinemas, and video platforms are capitalizing on it by vying for the latest hit titles.

Family-friendly flick Lost in Russia skipped theaters over the Lunar New Year holiday, the prime season for moviegoers in China. Instead, Bytedance struck a deal to premiere the film on its apps, including Douyin. Huanxi Media, the film’s production company, is also showing the movie on its own platforms.

Another movie skipping theaters is the Hong Kong remake Enter the Fat Dragon, which is streaming on Baidu’s video platform iQiyi and Tencent Video.

Video platforms are being used for more than just killing time, too. Residents of Wuhan, where the virus first spread and which is currently under lockdown, have taken to short-video apps like Douyin and Kuaishou to share the latest news or share videos of how much “fun” they’re having during their mandatory staycations.

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