China vows to maintain radical “zero COVID policy” to curb outbreaks

China pledged Friday to maintain its radical “zero COVID policy,” including complete quarantine and lockdowns when necessary, emphasizing that it has proved effective at containing outbreaks of the coronavirus. “It is the right and effective way,” and the outcome is “good,” Zhang Yesui, spokesman for the Chinese legislature, said at a press conference ahead of the annual session of the National People’s Congress from Saturday. All of the data, such as the number of infections and fatalities, as well as economic indicators, suggest China is “one of the most successful countries in the world” in combating the COVID-19 pandemic, Zhang…