Clashes, comments prompt return home

Some Chinese studying and working overseas are moving back for greater security. Yang Zekun reports.

After chatting with her parents in China about the novel coronavirus, Lin Yating feels like she is living in a crack between two worlds.

The Chinese national, who lives in Melbourne, Australia, is experiencing culture shock related to the anti-pandemic measures.

While her parents are pestering her to stock up on face masks and wear them whenever she goes outside, she is concerned that her local friends may look unkindly on her for taking urgently needed protective equipment from medical professionals.

Some Chinese who work or study overseas have experienced cultural shocks and even unfriendly treatment as the pandemic continues to wreak havoc and force lockdowns in many countries in efforts to contain the spread of the virus.