Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin Photo: VCG

China has full confidence to win the battle against COVID-19 and will make greater contribution in global solidarity against the virus, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at Thursday's press briefing, commenting on the COVID-19 still being regarded as a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The WHO said on Wednesday that COVID-19 is still a public health emergency of international concern, the WHO's highest alert level. It is still "too early" to end the emergency declaration.

Wang said that China has been closely following the development of the pandemic and has noticed the related reports. At present, the COVID-19 pandemic still runs at a high level in the world, and the continuous variation of the virus brings great uncertainty, Wang said. "The pandemic is not over."

The WHO recently called on all countries to continue to work hard and not let down their guard, and to continue to strengthen the virus mutations detection and vaccination, implementing public health measures such as individual protection, in order to create conditions for the eventual end of the pandemic, Wang said.

The Chinese government has always adhered to the principle of putting the people first and putting life first. China adheres firmly to its general strategy of "external input prevention and internal rebound prevention" and the "dynamic zero-COVID" policy, Wang said. 

We will continue to coordinate the epidemic prevention and control as well as economic and social development, optimize policies and measures for prevention and control in light of the current situation, and make efforts in a scientific and accurate manner, protecting the safety of people's lives and health, Wang noted.