BEIJING (Reuters) – China defended its “covid zero” policy on Friday after the US ambassador said it is causing serious damage to the global economy and foreign business sentiment.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said the Chinese economy is recovering from the effects of the pandemic and that “the facts prove” that the policy imposing blockades, quarantines and masses is “adapted to China’s internal situations and has passed the control of history. “
“We are completely convinced that [we can] engage the epidemic, stabilize the economy and achieve the purpose of economic development,” Wang told a daily news briefing.
China has tried to absolutely control COVID-19 outbreaks with strict restrictions, while many other countries are relaxing their coronavirus measures to “live with” the disease.
Ambassador Nicholas Burns said Thursday that the “zero covid” policy has “had a major impact” on the business climate, calling a two-month shutdown in Shanghai harmful.
Most of Shanghai’s 25 million citizens were confined to their homes or immediate neighborhoods, and many thousands remain restricted. Continuous blockades also continued in Beijing and cities.
Critics say the policy is disrupting global chains and hurting jobs and intake in China. The UN World Health Organization called it unsustainable. China denounced the comments as irresponsible.