Xi Jinping: "Firmly Suppress"... Orders Control of Wuhan Pneumonia Spread

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] As cases of the novel coronavirus, commonly known as 'Wuhan pneumonia,' spread in China, Chinese President Xi Jinping is reported to have issued an urgent directive to personally control the disease's spread. In China, concerns are rising that the virus will rapidly spread nationwide as the annual massive migration of hundreds of millions of people begins ahead of the largest holiday of the year, the Spring Festival.

According to Xinhua News Agency, on the 20th, President Xi stated, "The safety of the people's lives must be placed foremost," and gave direct orders to "resolutely suppress the trend of disease spread." Premier Li Keqiang also chaired a State Council executive meeting to discuss measures against the novel coronavirus infection, instructing effective containment of the disease's spread. Wuhan pneumonia is known to be caused by the novel coronavirus, and so far, over 200 confirmed cases and 3 deaths have been reported within China.

Especially as the outbreak coincides with the Chinese Spring Festival period of massive migration, it is spreading rapidly nationwide. Since it began in Wuhan, Hubei Province, two confirmed cases have been reported in the capital Beijing, and one confirmed case in Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province. The virus is spreading rapidly not only within China but also to neighboring countries. On the same day, following the first confirmed case in South Korea, Chinese visitors to Wuhan were confirmed infected with the novel virus in Thailand and Japan as well.