This entire article is based on a model from economist that they dont post. The guy writes a bunch about this topic and his main argument is that it cant be right because its much lower than other places. He says China should be the same as Korea because he thinks they are similar. They are not.
The death numbers are probably off (its off most places including usa) but its definitely not 1.7 million. Its possible that the total numbers are close to 1 million across the entire outbreak, with the majority of those coming from the initial outbreak in Wuhan. Things were really bad in Wuhan, I just got back from there and talked to lots of locals about it. I think the case numbers are somewhat accurate based on what I see and social media. But I think they dont count deaths if there are other factors involved, which is the opposite of USA and most places. I think they also lost count/didnt keep count in the initial outbreak in Wuhan. The cases are really low here though regardless. No one knows anyone who has had the virus outside wuhan, its so rare. Over the last 3 years in China there is about 900,000 more deaths than there were for the 3 years before that. Most of that is likely covid, although I think suicides and other issues are through the roof due to extreme measures as well.
Things are way way way way more strict in China, to an extreme level. The strict handling of things are also supported by the people here due to the fear the government has given everyone here. I cant even walk around in public without people moving away from me and covering their mouth and their kids mouth if they dont have a mask on. Its a night and day difference with how things are in China vs USA in my personal experience. Cities are completely shut down if there are more than 50 cases or so. Even 1 case here in Beijing caused mass lockdowns of businesses and buildings. People were trapped at work, home, and shopping centers while they mass tested everyone multiple times within the the infected persons last 2 weeks itinerary. Its still 3 weeks strict quarantine entering the country. You have to do tests all the time here. Everywhere you go is traced. I have never suspected I have covid in China and haven been tested at least 50X in the last year. You cant move in China without having your temperature taken. Vaccines are not really an option, you get them here when the government tells you. Most people here dont really care or think about individual freedoms, they think about the greater good for the community.