As coronavirus cases flared up in some cities, China implemented a tough approach. But many worry the threat lies outside the country

Whether they intended to or not, China’s athletes made a statement earlier this month when they arrived at a Tokyo airport covered head to toe in full PPE.

As the images of the national gymnastics team popped up on social media, it elicited a bemused response from some Japanese media commentators.

Others were struck by the contrast to other international teams, who had largely donned face masks.

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But China’s National Sports administration said in a statement the measures reflected the seriousness with which Japan was also taking the pandemic and stressed that the team took off their protective gear once clearing customs.

A few commentators drew comparisons with the offence some in China took to American athletes arriving for…