China's Covid Fight Did Not Harm Global Trade: CPPCC

A spokesman for the central government’s top advisory body on Thursday dismissed suggestions by overseas media that China’s policies against Covid-19 infections have disrupted global supply chains.

Guo Weimin made the comment in Beijing at a virtual press conference that was held a day before the start of the annual plenary meeting of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

“Thanks to the right measures adopted to meet the challenges brought by Covid, China has taken the lead in restoring economic growth, and has helped to keep global industry supply chains largely stable,” Guo said.

“Last year, both China’s foreign trade volume and international market share scaled historical new highs. This has injected strong impetus to the recovery of global trade,” he added.

Guo said China, as a developing country, would have encountered “unimaginable consequences” had it not taken effective measures to contain Covid-19 outbreaks.

He said the “dynamic clearance” strategy is scientific and people-oriented, adding it fits the country’s conditions and demonstrates the strength of its socialist system.

He said some CPPCC members noted that the fatality rates in some developed economies were higher amid resurgences of Covid cases.

“Their number of severe and fatal cases increased. They have very good medical facilities, but the resources were stretched,” he said.

Meanwhile, Guo noted some Hong Kong delegates to the CPPCC and the National People’s Congress may not be able to join this year’s plenary sessions due to the city’s strict Covid rules and the serious outbreak.

He said they would still be able to take part virtually and submit proposals.

The CPPCC’s annual session will begin on Friday and will last for six days. Foreign diplomats will be invited to sit in at the opening and closing ceremonies.