Question: According to media reports, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told the media today that China should “respect” the people’s “protests” against its Covid policy. He also expressed concern over the so-called “arrest” of a BBC journalist. What is the comment of the Chinese side on this?

Embassy Spokesperson: The UK side is in no position to pass judgment on China’s Covid policy or other internal affairs. On Covid response, the UK should reflect on the serious problems in its own policies. It is unfortunate that both the infection and fatality rates in the UK have remained high.

China has all along put the people and their lives above all else, and has been doing its best to protect the people’s right to life and health. The Covid infection and fatality rates in China, a country with over 1.4 billion people, have been the lowest in the world. China’s Covid policy, which is aligned with its national conditions, can stand the test of history and has the support of the overwhelming majority of its people.

China respects the right of journalists to report, but they must abide by the laws and regulations of the host country. No journalist, including British ones, is exempt.