Tang Chang’an
Cape Town - At the end of last year, the Chinese government announced it would relax entry and exit restrictions from January 8 and cancel most of the restrictions, such as health code application and quarantine measures.
After the optimisation of the epidemic prevention policy, the economic and social order will be restored at an accelerated pace.
The international community, overseas Chinese, investors and others generally welcome this policy, and all believe that it will play a positive role in boosting the global economy.
However, some Western media said that China’s adjustment of epidemic prevention policies showed that China’s anti-epidemic concept had changed and no longer attached importance to people’s life safety.
In this regard, Wang Wenbin, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, said that the relevant statements were completely contrary to facts and science and were purely deliberate smear words.
Some Western countries placed unscientific and unreasonable restrictions on Chinese tourists.
In response, foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that on the issue of taking temporary epidemic prevention measures against Chinese tourists: “We are willing to strengthen communication with the international community and work together to overcome the epidemic.
At the same time, we also believe that some countries take entry restrictions only against China without a scientific basis, and some excessive practices are unacceptable.
“We firmly oppose attempts to manipulate epidemic prevention and control measures to achieve political goals, and will take corresponding measures in accordance with the principle of reciprocity in different situations.”
Since the outbreak of Covid-19, China has actively carried out international anti-epidemic co-operation, taking the lead in proposing that vaccines should be used as international public goods, providing a large number of vaccines and anti-epidemic materials to the world, making important contributions to the joint construction of a community of human health, which has been highly praised by the international community.
At present, there is no vaccine in the world that can completely prevent infection. China’s vaccines are safe and effective.
China is still promoting the upgrading of vaccines to improve their effectiveness.
The Chinese government always adheres to the principle of people first and life first, makes every effort to protect people’s life and health and spares no effort to treat every patient.
Over the past three years, China has effectively responded to the impact of the five waves of the global epidemic, avoided the spread of relatively virulent original strains, Delta mutants and other large-scale epidemics, greatly reduced severity and death, and won precious time for the development and application of vaccines, drugs, medical resources and other preparations.
The epidemic situation and the death toll in China remain at the lowest level in the world, and life expectancy per capita has increased from 77.3 years to 78.2 years.
In the fight against the epidemic, China has always adhered to efficient co-ordination of epidemic prevention and economic and social development and adjusted and optimised prevention, and control measures according to the situation.
With the obvious weakening of the pathogenicity and virulence of the Omicron mutant strain and the continuous improvement of China’s medical treatment, pathogen detection, vaccination and other capabilities, China has shifted the focus of work from infection prevention and control to health care and severe disease prevention.
China will further optimise its exit and entry policies, facilitate the flow of Chinese and foreign personnel, further unleash China’s economic potential and vitality, and promote mutually beneficial co-operation among countries, and the recovery and growth of the world economy.
This is not only a timely and necessary move for scientific prevention and control, but also a strategic and long-term move to efficiently co-ordinate epidemic prevention, economic and social development, and safeguard the fundamental interests of the overwhelming majority of the people.
With the adjustment and optimisation of prevention and control measures, relevant Chinese departments have actively expanded medical resources, established a mechanism for diagnosis and treatment at different levels, and by classification increased drug production capacity, mobilised all resources to protect the elderly, pregnant women, children and other key groups suffering from basic diseases, and made every effort to reduce the severity of the disease and mortality.
At present, China is in a period of optimisation and adjustment of epidemic prevention policies.
Although it faces many difficulties and challenges, the epidemic situation is generally controllable, the economy in various regions is recovering rapidly, and social vitality is being released.
The dawn is in sight.
In particular, China has taken a series of measures to facilitate the exchange of Chinese and foreign personnel, which were welcomed by many countries.
It is believed that with the joint efforts of China and the international community, the global economy will recover steadily, the global trade and supply chain will be revitalised, and people around the world will benefit from it.
The optimised prevention and control policies will also greatly promote the co-operation between China and South Africa in various fields, especially the growth of trade and tourism, and will enhance the interaction and exchanges between the two sides, provide strong support for the events related to the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and South Africa and the BRICS Summit, and push the China-South Africa comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level.
Tang is the acting consul-general, Chinese Consulate General in Cape Town.
Cape Times