Wuhan Mayor Zhou Xianwang said it's unprecedented in human history to lockdown a city with more than 10 million people.

"However, faced with the current situation, we've closed the city gate and possibly besieged the virus within the city. We might leave a bad name in history," he said in an interview with China Central Television on Monday.

"But if it's conducive to the control of the virus and the protection of the safety of the people, Ma Guoqiang (the Party chief of Wuhan) and I can shoulder whatever responsibilities," he said.

"We would like to be removed from office to appease the public indignation," he was quoted as saying.