The day after the government reiterated its commitment, China reported dozens of new local coronavirus infections on Saturday. Strict measures Designed to limit the spread of the pandemic within its borders.

The country’s National Health Commission reported 74 new cases from the previous day on Sunday, 50 of which were locally transmitted. A wave of cases has spread to most of its 31 provinces. This is the most widespread outbreak since the coronavirus outbreak last year.

The data was released after officials stated at a press conference in Beijing that even if other countries in the region abandon the zero new crown virus policy, China will continue to comply with its preventive measures.

Wu Liangyou, an official of the National Health Commission, said that China faces “complex and severe challenges this winter and next spring” in controlling the virus, because the epidemic is still at a high level in neighboring countries and the world.

In China, where the Winter Olympics will be held for the first time in February next year, new cases have slowed to a trickle in mid-2020, and the authorities have since reacted quickly to any prospect of a possible large-scale outbreak.

A highly contagious variant of Delta appeared in the country, which hit July, the eastern city of Nanjing, Leading to major measures aimed at limiting its spread, including travel restrictions.

Increasingly restrictive measures have emerged in the country, and nearly 1,000 new cases have been reported since mid-October.Last weekend, thousands of tourists Locked in Shanghai Disneyland for large-scale testing After discovering a case related to the theme park a day ago.The government also warned families Store food In case of emergency.

China’s efforts to control the epidemic are carried out in the context of a broader economic slowdown. Economists have pointed out in recent months the impact of restrictions on consumer spending, weak real estate industry and energy shortages.

Although the GDP growth rate in the third quarter fell to 4.9%, the lowest in a year, data on Sunday showed that China’s exports were resilient, which also helped to promote its rapid recovery from the early stages of last year’s pandemic. In dollar terms, exports exceeded expectations in October, up 27% year-on-year.

“China’s economy shows [a] Zhang Zhiwei, chief economist at Pinpoint Asset Management, said: “The pattern in October is similar to the previous few months: exports are still strong due to the recovery in global demand, while domestic activity may remain sluggish to some extent driven by the regional Covid outbreak.”