China's top epidemiologist Zhong Nanshan encouraged Hong Kong citizens in a Cantonese video on Monday as the city is fighting against a new wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Zhong emphasized that the Chinese mainland and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) will still have a "dynamic zero-case policy" for COVID-19 because a large number of deaths of elderly people cannot be tolerated.

(Screenshot of the video)

Based on his own observations, Zhong said that since early 2020, the measures to fight COVID-19 led by the HKSAR government have been relatively effective. "The disease rate and mortality rate have stayed at a low level in global terms, which effectively ensured the stability of society."

However, since the outbreak of the Omicron variant from January 5, Hong Kong has reported nearly 60,000 confirmed cases with at least 75 deaths, causing a great impact on the economy and society.

In the fight against the virus, whatever political views people have, the most important human right is a healthy life, Zhong stressed. He added that unlike some Western countries, the principle maintained by the Chinese mainland and the HKSAR is "Life First, Health First."

Zhong concluded his speech by calling on all parties to strengthen solidarity and cooperation. In this way, "We will definitely overcome the fifth wave of pandemic with a complete success," he said.