China News Service, Beijing, December 29 (Xie Yanbing and Zhang Su) Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin presided over a regular press conference on the 29th.

　　A reporter asked: We have noticed that some Western media said that China's adjustment of epidemic prevention and control policies shows that China's anti-epidemic philosophy has changed and it no longer attaches importance to people's lives.

What is the spokesperson's response?

　　Wang Wenbin: The relevant statement is completely contrary to the facts and science. It is purely smearing words with ulterior motives.

　　Since the outbreak of the epidemic, China has always insisted on putting people first and life first, doing its best to protect people's life safety and health, and going all out to treat every patient.

In the past three years, China has effectively responded to the impact of the five waves of the global epidemic, avoided the large-scale spread of relatively strong pathogenic strains such as the original strain and the Delta variant strain, and greatly reduced severe illness and death. The preparation of resources such as research and development applications and medical treatment has won precious time.

The epidemic and death toll in China have remained at the lowest level in the world, and the average life expectancy has increased from 77.3 to 78.2 years.

　　In the fight against the epidemic, China has always insisted on effectively coordinating epidemic prevention and control with economic and social development, and adjusted and optimized prevention and control measures according to the time and situation.

With the significant weakening of the pathogenicity and virulence of the Omicron mutant strain and the continuous improvement of my country's medical treatment, pathogen detection, and vaccination capabilities, China has adjusted the new coronavirus infection from "Class B and A" to "B and B". ", shifting the focus of work from infection prevention and control to health care and prevention of severe illness.

This is not only a timely and necessary move for scientific prevention and control, but also a strategic and long-term move for efficiently coordinating epidemic prevention and control with economic and social development, and safeguarding the fundamental interests of the overwhelming majority of the people.

With the adjustment and optimization of prevention and control measures, relevant Chinese departments are actively expanding medical resources, establishing a hierarchical and classified diagnosis and treatment mechanism, increasing drug production capacity and supply, mobilizing all resources to protect key groups such as the elderly, pregnant women and children with underlying diseases, and doing everything possible to reduce the Severe illness, less death.

The details of the efforts and results have been introduced in detail at the press conference of the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council over the past few days.

　　Over the past three years, China's prevention and control measures have been continuously adjusted and changed in response to the epidemic situation, but the insistence on putting people first and life first has never changed.

I believe that we will uphold this concept and through the united efforts of the people of the whole country, we will be able to overcome the epidemic as soon as possible and usher in a better future.

(use up)