BEIJING, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- Suspending flights by some countries against the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations will not help contain the epidemic, but sow panic among the public, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said Thursday.
Spokeswoman Hua Chunying made the remarks at an online press briefing when asked to comment on some countries' decisions to suspend flights after the novel coronavirus outbreak.
Hua said since the onset of the outbreak, the Chinese government has taken the most thorough and strict prevention and control measures, and such measures are showing positive effects.
The WHO lauded China's strong measures and stressed many times that it disapproves of and even opposes imposing travel or trade restrictions on China, said Hua. The ICAO has also issued bulletins and encouraged all countries to follow WHO recommendations.
"We are dissatisfied with and oppose some countries going against the WHO's professional recommendations and ICAO bulletins, and have lodged solemn representations with them," she said.
Actions of those countries have gravely disrupted normal personnel exchanges, international cooperation and the order of international air transportation market, Hua said.
China urges the countries to think carefully and not to overreact nor restrict flights operated by airlines of both sides, keeping bilateral relations and cooperation in mind, she added.
"They should immediately correct their policies and wrongdoings in accordance with recommendations of the WHO and ICAO and take concrete actions to support China's battle against the epidemic," Hua said.
