Xu Wenbo, an expert from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said Omicron spreads very fast based on the latest reported epidemiological data in South Africa. However, it could take weeks to figure out the variant's virulence.

The mutation of the Omicron variant will not affect the sensitivity and specificity of China's major nucleic acid testing reagents, according to Xu.

Some Chinese companies have already launched early-stage planning on vaccines targetting Omicron.

Zhang Wenhong said China is accelerating scientific support to cope with new variants while taking advantage of the opportunities won by its current strategy.

"With science and solidarity, we have dealt with Delta well," Zhang said. "We can do the same with Omicron."