President Xi Jinping on the Hot Seat... Directly Addresses Concerns Over Epidemic Governance System and Economic Shock

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Sunmi Park, Reporter Juseok Na] The number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia) in China has surpassed 20,000 for the first time, and the death toll has also exceeded 400. Chinese President Xi Jinping identified preventing the spread of the novel coronavirus as the top priority and acknowledged that the national governance system is being put to the test by this crisis.

On the 4th, the National Health Commission of China (NHC) announced that as of midnight, 3,235 new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus and 64 new deaths were reported nationwide. In Hubei Province, where Wuhan City?the epicenter of the outbreak?is located, 2,345 new confirmed cases and 64 new deaths were added in a single day. The nationwide cumulative total of confirmed cases reached 20,438, surpassing 20,000 for the first time. This is approximately two months since the first confirmed case of the novel coronavirus was reported in Wuhan on December 8 last year. With 2,788 severe cases, the number of additional deaths is expected to continue rising.

Since the NHC officially began releasing statistics on January 20, the daily death toll has exceeded 60 for the first time, bringing the cumulative death toll to 425. The number of suspected cases recorded has also surpassed 20,000, reaching 23,214.

As the novel coronavirus situation spiraled out of control, President Xi chaired a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee the day before. According to Xinhua News Agency, at the special meeting on responding to the novel coronavirus outbreak, President Xi described the epidemic as "a major test of China's governance system and capacity," acknowledging that failure to control the situation could have significant political repercussions.

It is also noteworthy that President Xi admitted shortcomings in the government's response to the novel coronavirus. He stated, "We must focus on the weaknesses and deficiencies revealed in this response, prepare accordingly, and establish a nationwide emergency management system to enhance our response capabilities," highlighting the importance of the matter. Furthermore, he warned, "All decision-making must prioritize epidemic prevention and control work. Formalistic bureaucracy must be firmly excluded, and cadres should pay more attention to epidemic prevention. Those who do not follow unified command or evade responsibility will be severely punished."

He also urged preparations for the economic impact caused by the spread of the novel coronavirus. This is interpreted as an acknowledgment of concerns that President Xi’s economic goals for this year may be difficult to achieve, as reflected by the sharp decline in the Chinese stock market and forecasts that China’s first-quarter economic growth rate will fall to the 4% range. The Shanghai Composite Index opened at 2,685.27, down 2.23% following a more than 7% drop the previous day, clearly showing the shock to the financial market.

President Xi emphasized, "We must thoroughly maintain normal economic and social order," adding, "The Party and government must strive to achieve China’s economic and social development goals and tasks for this year, closely monitor economic operations, and prepare for the impact of the novel coronavirus on economic management. Efforts to build a comprehensive Xiaokang society (a moderately prosperous society) and poverty alleviation, which are approaching their final stages, must also be maintained."

The Chinese government has also intensified its diplomatic tensions with the United States, judging that the U.S. is fueling global anxiety regarding the novel coronavirus outbreak.

At a regular press conference the day before, Hua Chunying, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said, "Some countries, especially the United States, have overreacted inappropriately, which certainly goes against the advice of the World Health Organization (WHO)," and added, "We hope all countries make reasonable and calm judgments and responses based on scientific evidence." This was a criticism of the U.S. for recently banning entry of foreigners who have visited China within the past two weeks and restricting the airports where even U.S. citizens can enter, significantly tightening immigration regulations.

In response, Dr. Nancy Messonnier, Director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), rebutted, saying, "(The U.S.) response is based on science," and "These measures are intended to slow the introduction of the virus into the United States." Meanwhile, although China criticized the U.S., it agreed to accept support from a WHO investigation team that includes U.S. experts. The White House stated, "China has agreed to accept the WHO investigation team that includes U.S. experts."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.