Premier stresses need to safeguard lives, keep businesses running

China will strive to adopt a more scientific and precise approach to coping with COVID-19, based on changes to the situation and the characteristics of new variants, Premier Li Keqiang said at a news conference on Friday.

The goal is safeguarding health, ensuring normal production and life, as well as stabilizing industry and supply chains, he said.

Since the novel coronavirus's emergence about two years ago, China has been striving to coordinate epidemic control work and socioeconomic development, while advancing international exchange and cooperation, he said.

Li said that the virus — the enemy of all humankind — is still changing, and much remains to be learned, such as the protective effects of vaccines and research into effective drugs.

"We believe the international community should embrace unity and cooperation, show great mutual understanding and accommodation, and make joint efforts to create conditions for the world to return to normal," he said.

In previous talks with the heads of international businesses and organizations, Li said many had expressed the hope of maintaining essential business exchanges.

"China has opened fast track programs and green corridors to ensure the normal running of companies and projects in key areas," he said. "We will continue to accumulate experience and be adaptive to new developments so as to maintain the flow of goods and personnel," he said.