Coronavirus: China lodges diplomatic protests over suspension of flights by international airlines

Beijing — China said on Thursday that it has lodged diplomatic protests with countries whose airlines have cancelled flights to Chinese cities alleging that y are spreading panic in wake of deadly coronavirus.

death toll in China's vel coronavirus outbreak went up to 563 as 73 people died on Wednesday, highest single day fatalities so far, while total confirmed cases rose sharply to 28,018, Chinese health officials said on Thursday.

deadly virus has spread to more than 25 countries, including India.

Several international airlines, including Air India and IndiGo, have cancelled flights to China over fears of virus spreading across world, a move which Beijing described against WHO guidelines.

Several countries including India and US have also anunced travel bans.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told media briefing online on Thursday that Chinese government is acting with openness, transparency and a high sense of responsibility in sharing information enhancing international cooperation in dealing with virus.

"WHO lauded China’s strong measures and stressed many times that it does t recommend and even opposes imposing restrictions on travel.

"As some countries have taken such excessive steps as suspending flights, ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) has also issued bulletins and encourd all countries to follow WHO recommendations," she said.

"We deplore and oppose those countries who went against WHO’s professional recommendations and ICAO’s bulletins and have lodged stern representations with m," she said.

"ir actions, which sowed panic among public, will t help prevent and control epidemic. y have gravely disrupted rmal personnel exchanges, international cooperation and order of international market of air transportation," she said.

Hua said China's civil flights will t be suspended, and Chinese government will take its nationals home wherever y are.

Civil Aviation Administration of China has taken effective measures to minimise possibility of virus spreading in airplanes and to ensure travellers’ safety and health on international flights, she said.

"We hope all countries can assess epidemic situation and China's efforts in a calm, objective and rational manner and do t overreact," she added.

Hua urged countries t to restrict flights.

"We urge relevant countries to think carefully, t to overreact, r restrict flights operated by airlines of two sides, with bilateral relations and cooperation in mind. y should immediately correct ir policies and wrongdoings in reference to recommendations of WHO and ICAO and take concrete actions to support China's battle against epidemic," she said.