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China can see a ‘light of hope’ in Covid battle, says Xi Jinping in New Year’s message
- The Chinese President says persistence and unity will bring victory as he admits ‘it has not been an easy journey for anyone’
- The country has faced a surge in infections after suddenly reversing its approach to the virus, and Xi praised medical staff for their dedication
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President Xi Jinping assured the nation that the “light of hope is right in front” of China as it battles Covid-19 and called for unity and perseverance in this “new stage” of pandemic control in his New Year’s address on Saturday night.
Xi’s address came less than a month after China made a sudden U-turn on its long-held zero-Covid policy in December 2022. After lifting the stringent mass testing and lockdown rules nationwide in early December, Beijing announced last week that the borders would be fully reopened on January 8.
The rushed reopening heavily burdened China’s public health system, leaving hospitals straining under an unprecedented explosion in Covid-19 cases in major cities. Mortuaries struggled to cope as the fatalities piled up, while pharmacies ran out of medicines and other essential Covid supplies.
Xi praised China’s medical professionals and grass roots officials for “bravely sticking to their posts through all the hardship”.
“At present, the pandemic prevention and control has entered a new stage. Everyone is holding on with great fortitude, and the light of hope is right in front of us,” he said in an upbeat tone.
“With extraordinary efforts, China has prevailed over unprecedented difficulties and challenges, and it has not been an easy journey for anyone,” he said, seated behind a desk, with a picture of the Great Wall of China and the national flag behind him. Flanking him were bookcases with framed photographs of him with his family, and from his official inspection tours around the country.
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