As many voices are raised to criticize Beijing's attitude when the Covid-19 epidemic first appeared, in central China in late 2019, the country froze for three minutes on Saturday, in tribute to some 3,300 victims of the virus, according to the official count.

The image of this weekend will undoubtedly remain that of the three minutes in which China has frozen. Three minutes of silence observed on Saturday April 4, in tribute to the victims of the coronavirus. But on the scale of this country - nearly 1.5 billion inhabitants - the scene has taken on a very special resonance.

>> LIVE - Follow the developments on Saturday

A country at a standstill, all howling sirens

From 10 a.m., the sirens started to sound. On the sidewalks of Beijing, the pedestrians stopped walking, and bowed their heads. The subway trains stopped and the passengers were lifted. In front of a hospital, the medical staff gathered, while respecting the rules of distance: more than one meter between each person.

China stopped for 3 minutes at 10 am on Saturday for the victims of # COVID19. Remember the fallen heroes and deceased compatriots in the combat against the virus ️ pic.twitter.com/tN85ia3wsX

- Global Times (@globaltimesnews) April 4, 2020

On the roads, the scene was similar. The cars stopped, but the drivers also honked their horns. These three minutes were highly respected because they coincide with Qing Ming, the equivalent of All Saints' Day, that is to say, a time when families go to the graves of their deceased. Except that this time, it is a national mourning for the 3,300 victims of Covid-19 in the country, according to the official count.

CORONAVIRUS ESSENTIALS

> How long are healthy carriers contagious?

> What are the side effects of chloroquine?

> Adulterated tests, false calls for donations ...: watch out for scams linked to the coronavirus

> Reading, board games ... How to stimulate your brain during confinement?

> How to avoid gaining pounds during confinement?

An official balance sheet that puzzles

However, there is still doubt as to the reality of this number, as for that of those infected, less than 80,000, when France is more than 60,000. Beijing therefore suggests that its authoritarian regime has helped stem the epidemic. But on the spot, many Chinese people are beginning to criticize the management of the crisis by the authorities, in particular the measures taken to mask the start of the crisis, preventing the international community from reacting to avoid being hit hard.