CHINA’S XI SAYS “EPIDEMIC PREVENTION AND CONTROL IS ENTERING A NEW PHASE”

Sun 01 January 2023:

As China enters a “new phase” in its efforts to combatting the pandemic, President Xi Jinping has called for increased effort and unity.

“At present, the epidemic prevention and control is entering a new phase,” he said on Saturday in his first public comments on COVID-19 since his government changed course three weeks ago and relaxed its rigorous policy of lockdowns and mass testing.

“It is still a time of struggle, everyone is persevering and working hard, and the dawn is ahead. Let’s work harder. Persistence means victory, and unity means victory.”

China abruptly abandoned its “zero-COVID” policy earlier this month after upholding it for over three years, which allowed diseases to spread unchecked throughout the nation.

Additionally, it has led to a further decline in economic activity and increased diplomatic concern, with Britain and France the most recent nations to implement restrictions on Chinese travel.

China made the change in response to enormous public protests against the Xi-backed program, which marked the largest display of public resistance during his ten years in office and came at the same time as dismal economic growth estimates for the $17 trillion country.

In a televised speech to mark the New Year on Saturday, Xi said China had overcome unprecedented difficulties and challenges in the battle against COVID, and that its policies were “optimised” when the situation and time so required.

“Since the outbreak of the epidemic … the majority of cadres and masses, especially medical personnel, grassroots workers braved hardships and courageously persevered,” Xi said.

China will “always steadfastly advocate for peace and development … and unswervingly stands on the right side of history.”

According to Stephen Vines, a journalist and a political commentator from St Albans in Britain, that the way China changed its “zero-COVID” policy and how it is dealing with the new wave of COVID-19 infections is “a mess”.

He said the current crisis shows “the lack of preparation for having suddenly dumped the zero-COVID policy and open the floodgates.”

“This will literally lead to hundreds of millions of people being infected with COVID,” Vines added.

The surge in new infections has overburdened hospitals and funeral homes across the country, with long lines of hearses outside crematoriums raising public concern.

China, a country of 1.4 billion people, reported one new COVID death on Friday, the same as the day before – figures that do not match what other countries experienced after they reopened.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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