“It is still a time for struggle, everyone is persevering and working hard and the sunrise is ahead,” the Chinese president said.
The Chinese president Xi Jinping called today for greater efforts and unity as the country enters a “new phase” in its approach to combating the pandemic in his first public comments on COVID-19 since his government reversed course three weeks ago and eased the its strict policy of lockdowns and mass diagnostic tests.
In his televised New Year’s address, Xi said that China has overcome unprecedented difficulties and challenges in the fight against COVID-19 and that its policy has “made the best use” when the situation and time required it.
“After the outbreak of the epidemic…the majority of workers, especially medical and nursing staff and ordinary working citizens defied the hardships and continued (their lives) courageously. Currently, the prevention and control of the pandemic is entering a new phase, it is still a time for struggle, everyone is persevering and working hard and the dawn is ahead. Let us work harder, perseverance means victory and unity means victory,” Xi said.
Earlier in the month Beijing he scrapped his signature approach of mass testing and centralized quarantines and lockdowns — which he had imposed for nearly three years.
The change in policy has led to a wave of new infections in the country, a further reduction in economic activity and has sparked international concern with Britain and France becoming the first countries to impose restrictions on travelers from China.
China’s decision to end its zero-covid policy has brought it in line with other countries that have mostly reopened and are coexisting with the virus.
The decision comes after unprecedented protests over policies introduced by Xi — the strongest sign of popular distrust during his decade-long presidency that has coincided with ominous data on the growth of China’s $17 trillion economy.
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