Adapted Michael Jackson song heartens Chinese amid epidemic fight

Last week, a music video to show worldwide support for China’s efforts against the COVID-19 went viral on Chinese social media.

The song, China, You Are Not Alone, was adapted from a song by Michael Jackson. All the lead singers in the video are from Cuba while the other participants are of various nationalities.

They recorded audio and video materials with their mobile phones and other tools from their homes in different cities, and then sent them to Shenzhen Meifeiya Culture Communication Co. Ltd, where the video was finally compiled and finished.

Annie Xu, the founder of the company from China, initiated the creation of the production.

“At first, we planned to donate money, but we didn’t know how to donate, and it was not much actually. So we decided to use what we are good at to contribute our part — music. Everyone agreed and we started to work on it,” Xu said.

The idea was backed up by the employees, a group of expat musicians who live in China.

“We are surprised that the video was so much liked. Many people sent messages to us to show appreciation,” Xu told People’s Daily on Monday. “It’s our simple wish that the music can bring people some warmth and encouragement.”

The musicians who took part in the video’s making were also happy to do something meaningful at this particular time. “They all study and work in China, which they take it as their second home,” Xu said.

Daymara Viñals Acosta, from Cuba, a lead singer in the video who lives in Guangzhou, said she is so sad that many people in China are suffering from the epidemic and China is having a bad time.

“[We hope] to give encouragement to the Chinese people, that they know they are not alone, even going through this difficult moment, the world supports them,” Acosta told People’s Daily via WeChat on Sunday.

She is impressed by the nation’s concerted efforts in fighting against the virus and is confident in the victory. “It is well controlled, everywhere you take the temperature,” she said. “I think that Chinese doctors have a lot of capacity and experience and have everything under control.”

Xu said they are preparing another song for those people who are separated from their loved ones due to the epidemic.