China accuses US for having ‘sour grapes’ over their pandemic response

Beijing has a huge swipe at the US and China’s “strict and orderly” pandemic prevention and control policies.

Chinese state media has accused the US of “sour grapes,” over China’s pandemic management strategy, which is focused on eliminating Covid from the country.

State media the Global Times ran a searing editorial stating that “US media like [news network] CNN just want to find a way to belittle China’s approaches, and success”.

“When it comes to epidemic prevention and control, countries can generally be divided into two categories: China, and some other countries,” stated the editorial.

“CNN, one of the Western media outlets badmouthing China’s zero-case policy, is now showing its sour grapes mentality on the justification of China’s strict and orderly epidemic prevention and control policies.

“Rather than saying China is ‘calm,’ it is better to say that CNN and the likes are agitated by the current situation.”

China is still focused on eliminating Covid. Picture: Getty Images.

The article was in response to a CNN piece which questioned whether China could maintain an elimination strategy in light of the Omicron strain.

“As countries around the world scramble to impose travel bans to stem the spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant, China remains outwardly calm — at least for now,” it read.

The US publication also questioned whether a zero-case approach would work, given reports the new strain could be more transmissible – this claim however has yet to be confirmed by the World Health Organisation.

“Just how ‘impregnable’ China’s defence is against new variants is a question up for debate, given the Delta variant has repeatedly caused outbreaks in the country — with increasing frequency and for longer durations.”

A steadfast Covid-zero, elimination approach

While international borders and restriction had globally begun to ease prior to the discovery of the new variant, China has been steadfast in maintaining a Covid-zero, elimination approach.

This strategy involved harsh travel restrictions between borders, widespread vaccine coverage and a 21-day isolation mandate for inbound travellers which includes 14 days in hotel quarantine and a further seven days in self-isolation.

Doubling down on China’s hard border policy, the Global Times defended the strict approach taken by Chinese health authorities.

“Just look at how those Western countries which previously relaxed restrictions are now caught off guard by Omicron,” they wrote.

“As the US’ Covid-19 death toll approaches 800,000 as of Monday, how is its media qualified to criticise China’s policies in epidemic prevention and control?

“This is just another highly politicised act.”

The Global Times blasted CNN for criticising China’s Covid strategy. Picture: Mandel Ngan/AFP.

Currently neither the US nor China have reported any cases of the Omicron variant. However US President Joe Biden has warned Americans it’s only a matter of time before the strain is discovered in the States.

“Sooner or later we’re going to see cases of this new variant here in the United States,” he said on Monday.

“We’ll have to face this new threat just as we face those who have come before it,”

He also hinted that US’ winter pandemic strategy will likely not include more “shutdowns or lockdowns,” but instead focus on “widespread vaccinations, boosters, testing and more”.

Outside of China, many epidemiologists and health authorities have warned against a potential return to Covid zero policies.

“Covid zero in the medium to long-term is unsustainable,” Australian infectious disease expert, Australian National University Medical School professor Peter Collignon told Time. “Delta shows the almost impossibility of that.

“It’s hard to see how China will be able to get to zero Covid this winter.”