Despite COVID-19 Spread, China Says "Can Control Infectious Disease"

On the 5th, when the mandatory input of the 'Quarantine Information Pre-Entry System (Q-CODE)' for arrivals from China, Hong Kong, and Macau was implemented, an airport official was checking the Q-CODE at the arrival hall of Terminal 1, Incheon International Airport. / Yeongjongdo - Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-seop] The Chinese government stated on the 5th that "China's infectious disease situation is controllable" amid the surge of COVID-19 cases among its citizens.

Mao Ning, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, made this remark during a regular briefing when asked about the concerns and requests for information sharing from Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO). On the 29th of last month (local time), Director-General Tedros tweeted, "We are concerned about how the (China) situation is progressing," and asserted, "WHO also needs more detailed information to comprehensively assess the risk."

Regarding U.S. President Joe Biden's expression of concern over China's COVID-19 policies, Mao explained, "Since the outbreak of COVID-19, China has consistently disclosed relevant information and data to the international community, including the United States, in a public, transparent, and responsible manner," adding, "China continues to monitor virus mutations, promptly releases information, and will jointly respond to the challenges of the infectious disease situation with the international community."

On neighboring countries strengthening quarantine measures for arrivals from China, Mao said, "Each country's quarantine measures should be scientific and appropriate," emphasizing, "Political manipulation or discrimination against China should be avoided, and normal exchanges and cooperation between countries should not be affected."

He continued, "We urge avoiding quarantine measures targeting specific countries based on scientific principles and refraining from politicizing infectious diseases," and called for "ensuring normal exchanges together and making efforts to overcome the infectious disease as soon as possible."