Xi Calls for Unity as China Enters ‘New Phase’ of COVID Policy 

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks during the New Year gathering organized by the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing on Friday, Dec. 30, 2022. (Xinhua via AP)
In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks during the New Year gathering organized by the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing on Friday, Dec. 30, 2022. (Xinhua via AP)
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Xi Calls for Unity as China Enters ‘New Phase’ of COVID Policy 

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks during the New Year gathering organized by the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing on Friday, Dec. 30, 2022. (Xinhua via AP)
In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks during the New Year gathering organized by the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing on Friday, Dec. 30, 2022. (Xinhua via AP)

Chinese President Xi Jinping called on Saturday for more effort and unity as the country enters a "new phase" in its approach to combating the pandemic, in his first public comments on COVID-19 since his government changed course three weeks ago and relaxed its rigorous policy of lockdowns and mass testing. 

In a televised speech to mark the New Year, Xi said China had overcome unprecedented difficulties and challenges in the battle against COVID-19, and that its policies were "optimized" when the situation and time so required. 

"Since the outbreak of the epidemic ... the majority of cadres and masses, especially medical personnel, grassroots workers braved hardships and courageously persevered," Xi said. 

"At present, the epidemic prevention and control is entering a new phase, it is still a time of struggle, everyone is persevering and working hard, and the dawn is ahead. Let's work harder, persistence means victory, and unity means victory." 

Beijing earlier this month scrapped its signature zero-COVID approach based on mass testing, centralized quarantine and lockdowns - which it had maintained for almost three years. 

The policy switch has led to a wave of infections across the country, a further drop in economic activity and international concern, with Britain and France becoming the latest countries to impose curbs on travelers from China. 

China's decision to abandon the zero-COVID policy aligned it with a world that has largely reopened to live with the virus. 

The step followed unprecedented public protests over the policy championed by Xi, marking the strongest show of public defiance in his decade-old presidency and coinciding with grim growth figures for China's $17 trillion economy. 



Israel to Take Legal Action against Macron over Naval Trade Show Ban

French President Emmanuel Macron attends a press conference in Brussels, Belgium October 17, 2024. REUTERS/Johanna Geron/File Photo
French President Emmanuel Macron attends a press conference in Brussels, Belgium October 17, 2024. REUTERS/Johanna Geron/File Photo
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Israel to Take Legal Action against Macron over Naval Trade Show Ban

French President Emmanuel Macron attends a press conference in Brussels, Belgium October 17, 2024. REUTERS/Johanna Geron/File Photo
French President Emmanuel Macron attends a press conference in Brussels, Belgium October 17, 2024. REUTERS/Johanna Geron/File Photo

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said on Sunday he had ordered his ministry to start legal proceedings against French President Emmanuel Macron after Paris banned Israeli firms from participating in an upcoming military naval trade show.
The decision to bar Israeli firms is the latest incident in a row fuelled by the Macron government's unease over Israel's conduct in the wars in Gaza and Lebanon.
Euronaval, organizer of the Nov. 4-7 event in Paris, said in a statement last week that the French government had informed it that Israeli delegations were not allowed to exhibit stands or show equipment, but could attend the trade show. The decision affected seven firms, it said, Reuters reported.
"I have instructed the Foreign Ministry to take legal and diplomatic action against French President ... decision to prevent Israeli companies from showcasing their products at the @SalonEuronaval exhibition in Paris next month," Katz said in a statement on social platform X.
"The boycott of Israeli companies for the second time, or the imposition of unacceptable conditions, are undemocratic measures that are not acceptable between friendly nations. I urge President Macron to cancel them entirely."