EU to help China amid COVID surge

In recent days, there has been a notable increase in the number of COVID-19 cases reported in China. Among this rise in cases, many countries have announced travel restrictions and curbs on travellers.

In light of the increasing cases reported in China, many countries of the European Union are trying to provide aid and are offering to provide China with free vaccines to meet the requirements of the people and the vaccination rates. This has happened due to the relaxation of restrictions that China followed during the Zero Policy ideology. 

Stella Kyriakides stated that the European Union stands in solidarity with the people suffering in China, however, China has not responded to this offer. When asked by journalists, Chinese Foreign Minister Mao Ning mentioned that China is well-equipped to ensure the well-being of its citizens. 

As of now, China has only agreed to use vaccines created by them, which are not based on the Western mRNA technology that has been used in the other COVID-19 vaccines approved. China has refused to validate their vaccines as well as is still stubborn about using its vaccine on its population. 

Health experts from the European Union are set to meet and discuss further the COVID-19 situation in China and the ways that they can prevent it from being affected by it.

What is Zero COVID Policy?

China’s strategy to combat COVID-19 was to maintain close to zero cases. To achieve this goal, they imposed absolutely strict quarantine measures, there were mass tests, and mass lockdowns were imposed. According to John Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Centre, there have been 16,000 deaths in a population of around 1.4 billion people, whereas the United States of America faced millions of deaths. However, people have been protesting ever since.