"We express strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to the baseless accusations against China's pandemic prevention policy from the US," foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said on Saturday.

Not only are China's anti-epidemic measures "scientific and effective," Zhao said, but they show a "full confidence in Shanghai and other places to overcome the new round of outbreaks."

On Friday, the Department of State advised US nationals not to travel to China and to avoid Hong Kong, Shanghai and Jilin in particular, citing Covid restrictions that included the risk that parents may get separated from their children.

The department also allowed nonessential employees and their family to leave the US consulate general in Shanghai due to a surge in cases.

A spokesman from the US embassy in Beijing said on Saturday that US officials "have raised concerns regarding the outbreak and [China's] control measures directly with PRC officials, and we have informed them about the voluntary departure decision."

He added that although the consulate general in Shanghai is currently closed, its staff remain on duty and will provide emergency services to US citizens.