Communication Methods During COVID-19 Lockdown: Comparing the UK and China 疫情封锁期间的沟通方式：中英对比

How People Stayed Connected During the Pandemic

疫情期间人们如何保持联系

Hi everyone! I’m Yuri, and today we’re talking about how communication methods differed between the UK and China during lockdown.

Lockdown Communication in the UK
During the pandemic, many people in the UK relied heavily on video calls, instant messaging apps, and online platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and WhatsApp to stay in touch with family, friends, and colleagues. With social distancing and travel restrictions, face-to-face meetings became rare, making remote communication tools essential for work, socializing, and even education.

Communication Habits in China
China’s approach to communication during lockdown was slightly different. Even before COVID-19, instant messaging, video calls, and apps like WeChat were already widely used to stay connected across long distances. Due to the country’s size and the frequency of travel for work, many people were accustomed to digital communication as their main way to contact family and friends.

Face-to-face meetings were less common even pre-pandemic, as long train rides and crowded stations made travel inconvenient. During lockdown, WeChat, Tencent Meeting, DingTalk, and other messaging apps became even more central to daily life and work, allowing people to maintain connections seamlessly.

Key Takeaways

• In the UK, lockdown increased reliance on Zoom, Teams, and WhatsApp.

• In China, digital communication via WeChat and video calls was already mainstream.

• The pandemic accelerated adoption of remote communication tools globally.

• Understanding these differences is useful for businesses, educators, and families staying connected internationally.

您好，我是Yuri，今天我们聊聊封锁期间中英两国的沟通方式有何不同。

英国的封锁沟通方式
在疫情期间，英国许多人依靠视频通话、即时通讯工具和线上平台（如 Zoom、Microsoft Teams、WhatsApp）与家人、朋友和同事保持联系。由于社交距离和出行限制，面对面交流变得稀少，远程沟通工具成为工作、社交甚至教育的必备手段。

中国的沟通习惯
中国的沟通方式则有所不同。早在疫情前，微信、视频通话和即时消息已经是中国人跨距离保持联系的主要方式。由于中国幅员辽阔、工作出差频繁，许多人早已习惯数字化沟通，以维持与家人和朋友的联系。

面对面的会面在疫情前就不太普遍，长途火车和拥挤车站使旅行不便。封锁期间，微信、腾讯会议、钉钉等通讯APP更成为生活和工作的核心工具，让人们可以轻松保持联系。

关键启示

• 英国封锁期间，依赖Zoom、Teams、WhatsApp的情况增加。

• 中国的数字沟通方式（微信、视频通话）早已普及。

• 疫情加速了全球远程沟通工具的使用。

• 了解这些差异对企业、教育者以及跨国家庭保持联系非常有帮助。