China admits coronavirus exposed ‘weak links’ in health system as government promises to strengthen disease response

Premier Li Keqiang makes rare admission of failings as authorities look to strengthen monitoring and reporting system for infectious diseases

Handling of Covid-19 prompted backlash at home and abroad after Wuhan authorities were slow to grasp severity of situation

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Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said the coronavirus pandemic exposed “many weak links” in the nation’s public health emergency management. Photo: AFP

Published: 2:12pm, 23 May 2020Updated: 11:13pm, 23 May 2020

Following the 2003 Sars outbreak, Beijing concluded that greater transparency would have helped fight the disease and invested heavily in building an advanced reporting system for infectious diseases to prevent future cover-ups.

But following this year’s Covid-19 pandemic, the government has been forced to admit there is still work be in done in improving the country’s response to major epidemics and meeting public expectations.

In a rare admission, this year’s work report delivered by Premier Li Keqiang on Friday said that “many weak links have been exposed” in public health emergency management.

“People have opinions and recommendations that deserve our attention. We must strive to improve our work, perform our duties effectively and do our best to live up to people’s expectations,” he said.

Li promised to uphold the principle that “life is of the utmost importance” and strengthen the public health system.

He also pledged to reform the disease prevention and control system, improve infectious disease reporting and early warning systems, and ensure information was released in a timely, open and transparent manner.