WHO: "China's Zero-COVID Policy Unsustainable... Strategy Must Change"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] The World Health Organization (WHO) has determined that China's 'Zero-COVID' policy, including strict city lockdowns, is unsustainable.

On the 10th (local time), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, stated in a press briefing, "Considering the current pattern of the virus and future outlook, I believe (China's Zero-COVID policy) is not sustainable," adding, "The transition will be very important."

This assessment by the WHO is considered a rare case of questioning member countries' domestic COVID-19 policies. In the early stages of the pandemic, Director-General Tedros faced criticism for being overly favorable and lenient toward China, where the virus first emerged.

He continued, "We have discussed this issue with Chinese experts and conveyed that such an approach would not be sustainable."

Chinese President Xi Jinping is maintaining China's strict COVID-19 strategy by strengthening epidemic control in Shanghai and expanding large-scale testing in Beijing. Local officials are pursuing the goal of actively controlling the number of COVID-19 cases in communities despite increased economic costs and other impacts.

Michael Ryan, WHO Director of the Health Emergencies Programme, said, "Measures to combat COVID-19 must consider not only individual human rights but also the social and economic impacts."

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