China faces 'growing' economic impact from virus

China faces a "growing" economic impact from a deadly virus outbreak which originated in the central city of Wuhan, an official of the country's economic planner said on Monday. The Chinese government has locked down Wuhan and 16 other cities in Hubei province, isolating more than 50 million people.

The outbreak has brought everyday business to a standstill and closed down such popular tourist attractions as Beijing's former imperial palace, Shanghai Disneyland, Hong Kong Disneyland and the city's Ocean Park. China's updated figures of 361 deaths and 2,829 new cases over the last 24 hours, bringing the Chinese total to 17,205 cases. "I want to stress that the impact will be temporary, will not change the fundamentals of China's economy, which is positive in the long term," said Lian Weiliang, deputy director of the National Development and Reform Commission.

Health authorities across Asia have been stepping up surveillances and other precautions to prevent a repeat of the disruptions and deaths during the 2003 SARS crisis, which cases 40 billion to 50 billion US dollars in losses from reduced travel and spending. China's economic foundation is "notably stronger than in 2003," Lian said. "We are fully capable and confident to minimize the economic impact of the epidemic."