China censors WHO criticism of “zero covid” policy

China censored on Wednesday the statements of the director general of the World Health Organization (WHO) in which he publicly criticized Beijing’s “zero covid” policy, calling them irresponsible.

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These measures, coupled with a near closure of borders and reduced international air connections, are increasing exasperation in China.

This is the case in Shanghai (in the east), with 25 million inhabitants, and whose confinement since the beginning of April has been punctuated by food supply problems. Residents also fear being forcibly sent to isolation centers.

The person in charge of WHOTedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Tuesday that the “zero covid” policy was “unsustainable”, in unusual criticism of China.

“Moving to another strategy will be very important,” he added.

This measure is strongly defended by the highest communist leaders, such as President Xi Jinping.

Therefore, the censors quickly intervened to stop the spread of the statements of the head of the WHO.

On the Weibo microblogging platform, the keywords #Tedros and #WHO They did not give this Wednesday any result.

Users of the very popular WeChat social network were unable to republish or transfer an article from the official UN account, published on this platform and mentioning the critics of the person in charge of the WHO.

It was possible, however, to discuss the topic online with one of your contacts or post screenshots of the articles on your WeChat wall.

Asked about the statements of the head of the WHOa spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Zhao Lijian, told reporters that the China It was “scientific and effective.”

“We hope that these certain people have an objective and rational view of the politics China prevention and control of the epidemic, and that they have a better understanding of reality and refrain from making irresponsible statements.

For its part, the press China did not comment.

The former editor-in-chief of the nationalist tabloid Global Times, Hu Xijin, highly influential on the internet, considered the critics of the WHO “without importance”.

“If they say that the Chinese method is not sustainable, they should come up with one that is more effective and sustainable. But they don’t give any!” he stated on his Weibo account, with 24 million followers.

Source: Elcomercio

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