The World Health Organisation’s (WHO) director-general has hit out at China’s zero Covid policy.
The policy has placed hundreds of millions of people across large parts of the country under movement restrictions in a bid to stem the spread of the virus.
The most dramatic measures are in Shanghai, who are now in their sixth week of a strict lockdown.
Despite officials saying that half the city had now achieved “zero Covid” status, they added that restrictions would remain in place.
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Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
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But WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has slammed the policy, urging for China to shift its strategy.
He said: “As we all know, the virus is evolving, changing its behaviours, becoming more transmissible.
“With that changing behaviour, changing your measures will be very important.
“When we talk about the zero-Covid strategy, we don't think it's sustainable.
“Considering the behaviour of the virus I think a shift (in China's strategy) will be very important."
China's foreign ministry has since hit back at the WHO’s comments, urging Mr Ghebreyesus to avoid making "irresponsible" remarks.
Speaking at a regular news conference in Beijing, foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian defended China's measures on fighting the pandemic.
He said China hoped the WHO director-general would view China's Covid policies objectively.
