The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

OVER the past three years of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chinese government has put people first, prioritised saving lives, and has taken a science-based and targeted approach in its pandemic response. We have effectively responded to five global COVID waves, avoided the worst impacts of the original strain and the Delta variant of the virus, and maintained one of the lowest infection and fatality rates.

At the same time, China has sought to promote economic reopening and recovery, and readjusted response measures in light of the evolving situation. With the milder Omicron variant and China’s treatment, testing and vaccination capacity steadily expanding, China found it necessary to transition into designating COVID-19 as a Class-B instead of Class-A infectious disease, shifting the focus from stemming infections to preventing severe cases.

This science-based shift is a timely and strategic move conducive to better coordinating COVID response with economic and social development and safeguarding the fundamental interests of the Chinese people. The relevant authorities in China are now going all out to beef up medical resources, increase medication supply and protect vulnerable populations from the elderly with underlying conditions, to women in pregnancy and children, and are making every effort to reduce severe cases and deaths.

While breakthrough infections are a common occurrence with different COVID-19 vaccines, China’s domestically developed and produced vaccines have bolstered the health of the Chinese people against the most dangerous effects of the pandemic, and have proven to be both safe and efficacious. The medical community in China are now working to further upgrade the vaccines and make them even more effective.

As things stand, China’s COVID situation is predictable and under control. Beijing is among the first cities to see infections peak, and life and work are coming back to normal there. Relevant Chinese departments have been making necessary preparations for infection peaking in provinces and cities across China.

We are confident that with the concerted efforts of the Chinese people, we will prevail over the pandemic and usher in a brighter future for our people.

Based on scientific and rational assessment, the Chinese government has taken a series of measures to facilitate people-to-people exchanges with the rest of the world. From January 8th onward, any visitor going to China will only need to do a PCR test 48 hours before travel and no quarantine or testing will be required after arrival. Air flights will be increased and visa applications facilitated. Outbound tourism for Chinese citizens will be resumed. These measures have received a warm response from many countries. We expect to see steady, significant rises in the number of students, business travellers and tourists returning to China.

We will continue to adapt our COVID response measures as necessary to facilitate the safe and orderly cross-border travel of Chinese and foreign nationals and expedite international exchanges and cooperation. Such greater ease of travel will no doubt benefit the friendly exchanges between China and the people of Caribbean countries, including The Bahamas.

China has actively participated in international cooperation against the pandemic. The competent authorities in China have shared information in a timely, open and transparent manner in accordance with the law. We shared the genome data of the virus from the latest COVID cases in China via the Global Initiative on Sharing Avian Influenza Data (GISAID). In a virtual meeting held several days ago, Chinese agencies held technical exchanges with the WHO on the current COVID situation, treatment and vaccination. The two sides agreed to continue technical exchanges to facilitate an early global victory over the pandemic.

In recent days, health experts from many countries have advised against the adoption of entry restrictions targeting Chinese visitors, believing that the main variant now spreading in China has been found elsewhere and that a new variant can emerge anywhere on the planet. A statement released by The International Air Transport Association (IATA) on January 4, 2023 described those measures taken by some countries as “ineffective”, and more like “science politics”.

We hope that all countries will follow a science-based approach and work together to promote safe cross-border travel to keep global industrial and supply chains stable and bolster global solidarity against COVID and world economic recovery. Some Western media commentary sought to put a negative spin on China’s COVID policy adjustment. This is nothing but double standards.

We remain committed to working with the international community in solidarity, to more effectively tackle the COVID challenge, and better protect people’s lives and health.

CUI WEI

Chinese Embassy spokesman

Nassau,

January 4, 2023