Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently made a statement at the United Nations indicating that cases of pneumonia among children in China have been effectively controlled. The World Health Organization will be following up with China for more health data and increased transparency after the spread of what some are calling “white lung syndrome”. Meanwhile, the CCP is implementing stricter control measures to combat the outbreak affecting children across several cities.
China’s official statement on the outbreak from the pneumonia among children was delivered by Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the U.N. Security Council session on the Israel-Hamas war. It was stated that China’s interactions with the international community will not be affected and they welcome increased visitation from friends abroad. However, US-based China affairs commentary Qin Peng criticizes Wang for commenting on the respiratory illness epidemic while at a meeting on peace in Israel, suggesting that the CCP is afraid of accountability in another outbreak of pneumonia spreading abroad.
Additionally, a notice circulated on social media, instructing residents of Yiwu City, the world’s largest wholesale commodity market, to stock up on food supplies that can last ten days, causing concern about a potential new pandemic lockdown. The government’s response was to delete the notice from its official website. Cases of “white lung syndrome” have been reported in cities across China, leading to concerns about health protocol and potential travel restrictions. Chinese officials are being urged to report more health data and to act with greater transparency regarding the pneumonia outbreak.