WHO said official Chinese statistics are not keeping pace with the country's resurgence of the epidemic.
"We believe that the currently published figures from China under-represent the true impact of the disease in terms of hospital admissions, intensive care admissions and especially in terms of deaths," said Michael Ryan, WHO head of health and safety. management of health emergencies.
Meanwhile, the clash between Europe and Beijing continues on tests for those arriving from China."
We have no response to the statements of the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman. We are taking the measures we deem justified in line with the evolution of the situation in China. They are based on discussions between our experts and scientists, but are now subject to a decision to be discussed by member states."
This was stated by EU Commission spokesperson Dana Spinant during the daily briefing with the press, when asked about the fact that yesterday the Chinese Foreign Ministry spoke of countermeasures on the principle of reciprocity, on the hypothesis of Covid tests for those arriving in the EU from China.
The French government is also firmly in favor of the tests.
The resurgence of the Covid-19 epidemic raises "legitimate fears".
The swabs of passengers on flights from China to France will be carried out "without hesitation", said the spokesman of the executive, Olivier Véran, on the occasion of the first council of ministers of 2023 in Paris.
Already yesterday, Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne said that France will continue to carry out the tests despite criticism from Beijing.
