China defends Covid response after WHO criticism
Beijing, Jan 5 (EFE).- China on Thursday defended its response to the wave of Covid-19 infections hitting the Asian country after the World Health Organization asked for more data on hospitalizations and deaths.
“At the moment, China’s Covid situation is under control,” foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a press conference.
She added that China will continue to monitor possible mutations of the virus and provide relevant information in a timely manner.
“We will continue to carry out activities including technical exchanges with the WHO. It is hoped that the WHO Secretariat will take a science-based, objective and just position and play a positive role in addressing the pandemic globally,” Mao pointed out.
On Wednesday, WHO stressed that China must maintain “high levels of representative genomic surveillance” and share such data rapidly
But Mao argued: “Since Covid began, China has shared information and data with the international community in an open and transparent manner.
“The information and data that China shared helped scientists from all countries to learn about the evolution of the virus in China and strengthened the global science community’s confidence in China’s Covid response.”
Coronavirus cases mounted throughout China the country ended its zero-Covid policy.
The Asian country lifted its strict policy last month and announced it would reopen its borders on January 8 for the first time since March 2020.
In response, several countries such as the United States, Spain, Italy, India, Japan and the United Kingdom have imposed Covid restrictions on arrivals from China.EFE
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