Analysts Say Beijing’s Claim of Defeating COVID-19 Is for Fulfilling Political Agenda

Chinese leader Xi Jinping (bottom) arrives at the closing session of the Chinese regime’s rubber-stamp legislature conference while other Communist Party officials applaud, in Beijing, on May 28, 2020. Kevin Frayer/Getty Images

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) declared “victory” over the COVID-19 pandemic on Sept. 8, despite infections still popping up in mainland China.

Observers believe that Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s rush to celebration is aimed at countering criticism and pressure from both within the Party and the international community, as a growing number of countries have lambasted Beijing for covering up the initial outbreak and allowing the virus to spread globally.