Xi Jinping expresses concern about coronavirus spread into China’s countryside
- Xi’s public comments during a Lunar New Year message are his first about the current surge of coronavirus infections across China
- The Chinese president calls the outbreak ‘fierce and serious’ and urges front-line healthcare workers to take self-protective measures
In his first public comments on the wave of Covid-19 infections sweeping across the country, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday he was most worried about its spread in China’s vast countryside, where medical services and resources are insufficient.
Speaking to healthcare workers, Covid patients and local cadres via video links in a Lunar New Year message, Xi also called on frontline medical workers to increase self-protective measures during the current wave of infections, which he described as “fierce and serious”.
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Praising them for their sacrifice, Xi urged the workers to take proper precautions and safeguards.
“We must strengthen the protection and care of our medical staff to ensure your health,” state broadcaster CCTV quoted Xi as saying.
Infections have soared since China abandoned its zero-Covid policy of mass lockdowns and testing.
Despite the sharp increase in cases, Xi insisted that China was on the right track.