'Light of hope in front of us': Xi Jinping calls for more efforts, unity to tackle Covid in 2023

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday (December 31) addressed the nation and talked about the current coronavirus (COVID-19) situation in the country. In his New Year's eve address, Xi said that the "light of hope is right in front of us".China, where the first Covid case was reported in December 2019, is facing a tough situation with an explosion of positive cases after an abrupt lifting of long protracted restrictions.

In a televised address,Xi said, "Epidemic prevention and control is entering a new phase... Everyone is working resolutely, and the light of hope is right in front of us."

"At present, epidemic prevention and control is entering a new phase, it is still a time of struggle, everyone is persevering and working hard, and the dawn is ahead. Let's work harder, persistence means victory, and unity means victory," Xi added.

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The Chinese president also called for more effort and unity among people as the country has changed its approach to tackling the Covid pandemic. Xi has also commented a couple of times since his government relaxed its strict zero-Covid policy regarding lockdowns and mass testing three weeks ago, but this is his first comment addressed to the public. On Monday, Xi called for measures to "effectively protect people's lives".

Meanwhile, World Health Organisation chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that the precautionary measures taken by several countries are "understandable".

He said, "In the absence of comprehensive information from China, it is understandable that countries around the world are acting in ways that they believe may protect their populations."

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