Chinese Journalist "Prepared for COVID-19 Infection Within a Month... New Strategy Needed"

Former Editor-in-Chief of Communist Party Organ 'Huanqiu Shibao' Hu Xijin
"Virus Cannot Be Stopped and Cost of Lockdown Is Unbearable"

A journalist representing the Chinese authorities voiced the need for a new COVID-19 prevention strategy, supporting the health authorities' stance on shifting the response policy from 'Zero COVID' to easing prevention measures.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Gyumin] A journalist representing the stance of the Chinese authorities has raised the need for a new COVID-19 prevention strategy. This is interpreted as supporting the health authorities' shift in response policy from 'Zero COVID' to easing prevention measures.

Hu Xijin, former editor-in-chief of the Global Times, affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party's official newspaper People's Daily, wrote on the social networking service (SNS) Weibo on the evening of the 2nd, stating, "It is time for a new strategy regarding the COVID-19 response."

He said, "The spread of the virus cannot be stopped, and even if large-scale lockdowns continue, the desired results cannot be achieved," adding, "The costs to be paid (due to lockdowns) will become increasingly difficult to bear." He further explained, "I have witnessed many experiencing recession, shops closing one after another, and people with reduced salaries. When lockdowns occur, service industry workers almost lose their income."

He continued, "It is time to respond to the latest COVID-19 variant virus, which has low toxicity but very high transmissibility," adding, "In the process of establishing new battle lines, anxiety about social insecurity will increase and many people may become infected, causing new problems, but this will not last long and new adaptability will emerge."

Hu Xijin stated, "To ensure the prosperous youth era of young people, job security for service industry workers, and overcoming difficulties faced by enterprises, the risks of the epidemic must be endured with composure."