'Unilateral Quarantine' US Criticism...Angry China Says "Baseless Accusations"

Residents are lined up waiting their turn to get tested in a residential complex in Shanghai, China, which has been locked down to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] The United States and China appear to be clashing over China's COVID-19 prevention policies centered in Shanghai. After the U.S. government criticized the policies as arbitrary, China responded by asserting that its prevention measures are scientific.

According to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, spokesperson Zhao Lijian expressed on the 9th (local time) in response to a reporter's question, "We express strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition to the U.S. for unjustifiably criticizing China's prevention policies."

He also stated that China has lodged a stern negotiation through regular diplomatic channels with the U.S. Furthermore, he emphasized, "China's prevention policies are scientific and effective, and we are confident that we will overcome the new COVID-19 outbreaks in regions such as Shanghai."

Regarding the U.S. allowing voluntary withdrawal of staff and their families from the Shanghai Consulate General, he claimed, "The authorities have already provided maximum cooperation and convenience within the scope allowed by policy concerning prevention-related issues for foreign diplomatic and consular personnel stationed in China."

Earlier, on the 8th, the U.S. advised its citizens to refrain from traveling to China and permitted voluntary departure of staff from the U.S. Consulate in Shanghai. The U.S. Department of State issued a statement that day saying, "Due to arbitrary enforcement of local Chinese laws and COVID-19 related restrictions, there is a risk of parents and children being separated."

It also added, "The zero-tolerance COVID-19 policies implemented by the Chinese and Hong Kong governments severely impact travel and access to public services," and "Americans should not travel to Hong Kong, Jilin Province, or Shanghai."

Meanwhile, COVID-19 is rapidly spreading in Jilin Province and Shanghai. According to the Chinese National Health Commission, the daily new confirmed cases reported on the 8th totaled 25,071. Of these, 23,624 were reported in Shanghai and 954 in Jilin Province. Consequently, the full lockdown imposed by the Shanghai municipal government since the 28th of last month is expected to continue indefinitely. Changchun City in Jilin Province has also been under lockdown since the 11th of last month, with residents' movements outside their homes being restricted.

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