• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
No Result
View All Result
1
Home Opinion

Science not politics should measure fight against COVID-19: China

7 January 2023, 12:45 PM  |
Abbey Makoe Abbey Makoe |  @SABCNews
A worker in a protective suit walks near a plane of Air China airlines at Beijing Capital International Airport as coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreaks continue in Beijing, China January 6, 2023. REUTERS/Thomas Peter     TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

A worker in a protective suit walks near a plane of Air China airlines at Beijing Capital International Airport as coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreaks continue in Beijing, China January 6, 2023. REUTERS/Thomas Peter TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Image: Reuters

A worker in a protective suit walks near a plane of Air China airlines at Beijing Capital International Airport as coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreaks continue in Beijing, China January 6, 2023. REUTERS/Thomas Peter TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

The recent surge in Covid-19 cases in China has brought back open geopolitical contestation between the East and the West, with lingering fears that the pandemic could be “weaponised”.

China’s foreign policy stance has bordered on the insistence on international cooperation in the global war on Covid-19. Science, and not politics, should remain the cornerstone of all endeavours aimed at finding solutions to Covid-19, Beijing argues.

And, as the pandemic all but disappears in many parts of the world, China finds itself having to deal with the sudden surge in positive Covid-19 cases.

In early December, China dropped Covid-19 restrictions, and the move resulted in the subsequent discovery of new infections in the populous country.

From January 8, however, China plans to lift quarantine requirements for inbound travellers. This move is intended to restore a semblance of “normality” to life as millions go about their businesses in the world’s biggest emerging economy.

China’s Ambassador to the UK, Zheng Zeguang, penned an article in The Guardian last week titled: “In China, Here is What We Want the West to Know about Our Covid Response.”

He explained: “Over the past weeks, Beijing has become the first city to go through the infection peak, and life and work are returning to normal in the capital.” This is the message that China has moved into full gear spreading across the world, allying fears of a pandemic that is certainly not getting out of control, according to the Chinese authorities.

So far, a number of countries have imposed travel restrictions on people travelling from China. The countries include the US – China’s fierce economic and geopolitical competitor. Japan, India and Malaysia are among others to emulate the US.

South Africa, one of China’s biggest trading partners on the continent, has elected to adopt a cautious approach to the situation.

The SA health authorities have resolved not to impose any restrictions on travellers from China. The move is welcome news for Beijing. Subjecting travellers from China to quarantine restrictions on arrival would certainly have devastating economic effects on both countries.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health, Foster Mohale, explained, “We are closely monitoring the situation. We are not imposing restrictions yet. We encourage South Africans to vaccinate, so that, if there is a surge in new cases, they are at least protected.”

Mohale advised that vaccination against Covid-19 remains the best defence against the disease.

China and SA are also BRICS members, an organisation of regional power blocs whose impact on geopolitics has been gradual.

But China’s determination to halt the spiralling positive cases of Covid-19 is well documented. Delivering his 2023 New Year address to the nation, China’s President Xi Jinping appealed for national “perseverance and solidarity”. He appealed to the nation of more than 1 billion people “to put in extra effort” in the war against the pandemic, saying cooperation “means victory”.

President Xi explained: “Since Covid-19 struck, we have put the people first and put life first all along. Following a science-based and targeted approach, we have adapted our COVID response in light of the evolving situation to protect the life and health of the people to the greatest extent possible,” he said.

He praised the general public that has had to endure inescapable lockdowns and extended his appreciation to the medical professionals as well as community workers who are often mobilised through the structures of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC). “Through it all,” President Xi said, “they have bravely stuck to their post.”

In a clarion call to the Chinese nation, President Xi said his country has “prevailed over unprecedented difficulties and challenges” through extraordinary efforts.

“It has not been an easy journey for anyone,” he said, recalling the growing exasperation and impatience among some during an extended period of hard lockdowns that has now been lifted.

“Everyone in China,” President Xi said, “is holding on with great fortitude, and the light of hope is right in front of us,” he said.

World Health Organisation’s Director Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus has indicated that the WHO was closely monitoring the efforts of the Chinese authorities in fighting the pandemic.

He said during a recent media briefing: “We remain concerned about the evolving situation, and we continue encouraging China to track the Covid-19 virus and vaccinate the highest-risk people.”

He added: “We continue to offer our support for clinical care and protecting its health system.”

Share article
Previous Post

France head coach Deschamps extends contract until 2026

Next Post

Five African migrants die, 10 missing after boat sinks off Tunisia

Related Posts

Smoke rises from the Duvha coal-based power station owned by state power utility Eskom, in Emalahleni, in Mpumalanga province, South Africa, June 3, 2021.

Explosive revelations about South Africa’s power utility: Why new electricity minister should heed the words of former Eskom CEO

15 March 2023, 7:43 PM
Chinese flag and the Great Wall in the background

The growing significance of China’s ‘Two Sessions’ to the world

14 March 2023, 9:01 PM
[File Image] President Cyril Ramaphosa addresses Hillside View Integrated Housing Development launch in Mangaung.

Ramaphosa missed SA’s current mood: Prince Mashele

7 March 2023, 1:08 PM
Person walks between pylons.

Talk is cheap, analyst warns new Electricity Minister

7 March 2023, 6:22 AM
Rescuers use a crane to remove debris of a multistorey residential building damaged in recent shelling in the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict in Donetsk, Russian-controlled Ukraine, February 4, 2023. REUTERS/Pavel Klimov

Ukraine, Russia, welcomes China’s proposed peace deal as ‘a good sign’

3 March 2023, 1:30 PM
[FILE IMAGE] President Cyril Ramaphosa meets with US President Joe Biden at the White House Oval Office in Washington DC during Ramaphosa’s working visit to the US.

OPINION | A diplomatic row brewing between the US and South Africa: Abbey Makoe

24 February 2023, 1:41 PM
Next Post
An olive tree grows in front of a new cemetery for unidentified migrants outside Zarzis, Tunisia, December 12, 2022. REUTERS/Angus McDowall

Five African migrants die, 10 missing after boat sinks off Tunisia

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • NPA’s Andrew Breitenbach admits to leaking Zuma medical records to Maughan
  • SABC News crew attacked on N2 while monitoring protests
  • BREAKING | EFF members arrested after clashes with police in Braamfontein Sunday night
  • WARNING | Graphic details: Mabopane businessman killed in a hail of bullets
  • Police making progress in AKA’s murder case
  • Corporates prepare for a possible national blackout
  • NPA’s Andrew Breitenbach admits to leaking Zuma medical records to Maughan
  • SABC News crew attacked on N2 while monitoring protests
  • Wits SRC sued
  • E-tolls permanently scrapped: Lesufi
  • Two taxi owners assassinated in Durban
  • AmaZulu King pays tribute to Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi
  • Drive-by shooting in Durban kills two, injures teenage girl
  • Problems at Kusile have nothing to do with corruption: Ramokgopa
  • Shabangu deplores growing racism in the ANC

LATEST

Food packed in a supermarket’s fridge.
  • Business

Food inflation increases to all-time high


SAPS personnel at a roadblock
  • National shutdown
  • South Africa

Visible policing helped manage national shutdown: Cele


Powerlines leading from the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station
  • Eskom rolling blackouts
  • Business

Black Business Council optimistic about Eskom turnaround


  • Politics

LIVE: Zuma’s private prosecution matter against Downer, Maughan


  • Politics

VIDEO | President Ramaphosa addresses National Conference on the Constitution


Aerial view of the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station
  • Eskom rolling blackouts
  • Business

320-ton steam generator removed at Koeberg Power Station


Weather

  • About the SABC
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Site Map

SABC © 2023

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION

© 2023

Previous France head coach Deschamps extends contract until 2026
Next Five African migrants die, 10 missing after boat sinks off Tunisia