I believe the tension is capitialism vs communism, Which will drive the other. My money is on the money.
If they don't grow a brain REALLY QUICKLY and figure out how to handle this mess, it's not going to be a "few thousand deaths."
It'll be a few million, and it will come VERY quickly.
But before it gets that far, there won't be anyone who will want to trade with China. The perception will be that it's too risky to one's health.