China defends covid policy after U.S. flak

BEIJING — China on Friday defended its tough “zero-covid” policy after the U.S. ambassador said it was causing serious damage to the global economy and foreign business sentiment. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said the Chinese economy is recovering from the effects of the pandemic and “facts prove” the policy mandating lockdowns, quarantines and mass testing is “suitable for China’s national conditions and has stood the test of history.” “We have full confidence that [we can] contain the epidemic, steady the economy and achieve the goal of safe economic development,” Wang said at a daily briefing. China has sought to…