Xi Jinping: "Three Years of Strict Quarantine, the Right Choice... Concerned About Spread in Rural Areas"

First Mention of Surge in Cases After Zero-COVID Policy Abandonment

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Kim Hyunjung] Chinese President Xi Jinping praised the nearly three years of implementing the 'Zero-COVID' policy as a "precise choice." However, he recently expressed concerns about the outbreak situation for the first time since the full relaxation of quarantine measures amid a severe spread of COVID-19.

According to China's state-run CCTV, on the 18th, four days before the Spring Festival (Chunje, Chinese New Year), President Xi encouraged medical workers nationwide, COVID-19 patients, and local officials through a video message, emphasizing that "strict management of COVID-19 over the past three years was a precise choice." He added, "We have withstood the impact of various virus mutations and minimized severe cases and death rates, thereby strongly protecting the lives, safety, and physical health of the people," further stating that "precious time was secured for optimizing epidemic prevention."

Chinese President Xi Jinping is delivering a video message to medical staff and regional officials ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday. (Photo by Xinhua News Agency)

He continued, "Currently, COVID-19 prevention has entered a new phase and faces many pressures," but stressed, "However, there is a ray of hope, and perseverance will lead to victory." He also noted, "The focus of epidemic prevention has shifted from infection prevention to medical relief, and protecting health and preventing severe cases have become key tasks," adding that "the responsibilities hospitals must bear have become heavier." He called for strengthening the expansion of medical resources, securing medicines, and preparing for severe patient response.

He also expressed concerns about the spread of COVID-19 to rural areas during the increased population movement over the Spring Festival. He said, "The most worrisome are the rural areas and farmers," explaining, "Medical facilities in rural areas are relatively weak, making it more difficult to prevent COVID-19. This means facing greater challenges." He urged local residents and officials in Mianyang City, Sichuan Province, who participated in the video speech, to do their utmost to prevent the spread of the epidemic.

Meanwhile, after announcing the abolition of the stringent 'Zero-COVID' policy, including regular PCR testing and isolation upon confirmation, in December last year, COVID-19 confirmed cases and deaths have surged within China. British medical data analytics firm Airfinity projected that during the Spring Festival holiday, daily COVID-19 deaths in China could exceed 36,000. Bloomberg News reported that "China will experience another long and severe wave of COVID-19."