Chinese President Xi Jinping called on Thursday for smooth global trade in vaccines and other medical supplies, saying that unilateralism and protectionism are rising across the world and globalisation is facing headwinds.

Speaking in a televised address at the opening of the China International Import Expo, Xi touted China’s contributions to the global fight against Covid-19 and its efforts to open up its economy, even as it maintains a zero-tolerance approach to virus control that has put limits on travel into and out of the country.

China is on high alert at its international ports of entry to reduce the risk of Covid-19 cases entering from abroad.