China's ruling Communist Party leadership has admitted that there have been 'shortcomings and deficiencies' in its initial response to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, the BBC reported.

The admission was made by the Politburo Standing Committee, which stated that there was a need for improvement in the country's emergency management system.

That sentiment was also echoed in a commentary published by Chinese state-run media Xinhua News on China's response, which further added that the country was "struggling to keep up" with the spread of the virus.

Currently, the number of confirmed infections in China stands at 24,324, while the death toll is 490.

Ban on wildlife trade and medical supplies needed

The BBC further reported that the Politburo Standing Committee also called for a harsh crackdown on illegal wildlife markets in the country, where the virus reportedly originated.

As per the Committee:

"It is necessary to strengthen market supervision, resolutely ban and severely crack down on illegal wildlife markets and trade."

Xinhua noted that the illegal wildlife trade had attracted widespread criticism and that it was necessary to look into an overhaul of the country's "environmental sanitation systems."

Medical supplies were also highlighted to be in short supply, with safety googles, surgical masks and protective suits "urgently needed", while hospital beds were insufficient for the treatment of patients.

Xi Jinping: Efforts to tackle the virus should not be obstructed

Separately, another Xinhua report stated that China's President Xi Jinping had urged the Politburo Standing Committee to take the outbreak of the virus seriously at a meeting.

In particular, Xi had,"demanded resolute opposition against bureaucratism and the practice of formalities for formalities' sake in the prevention work."

Should any officials be found to be disobedience of the "unified command" or shirking their committees, they will be punished. More severe cases will see the Party and government leaders supervising them being punished as well.

In underscoring that China's response still needed much improvement, the report concluded:

"The meeting underscored the need to systematically review the areas of weakness in the national reserve system, enhance reserve efficiency and capacity, and improve the production capacity for essential supplies."

Admission is significant

The admission by the Politburo Standing Committee and the meeting by Xi is significant given that it comes after China’s top court had openly criticised the Wuhan police on Jan. 28 for reprimanding eight citizens over “spreading rumors” about an illness in Dec. 2019.

The court also vindicated a doctor who is believed to have been one of the eight people arrested and punished by local police.

It explained that in retrospect, the eight Wuhan citizens should not have been punished as what they said was not entirely false.

Top image from Xinhua