COVID-19

Ultimately, the choice was Xi's, but his colleagues on the Standing Committee of the Politburo wield extraordinary power, collectively and individually.

Unlike in most countries' official reporting, deaths that occur in patients with pre-existing illnesses are not counted among China's COVID-19 deaths.

Current discussions often highlight the role of the vocal protests in late November in shifting China's COVID zero policy. But the shift had already begun in early November. 

The NSW government’s “law and order” response to the COVID-19 pandemic led to significant fines on those least able to pay up.

Ending “zero COVID” is Beijing’s best option, but it comes at the worst possible time.

The National Health Commission scrapped many of China's most stringent anti-pandemic regulations, including routine, mandatory PCR testing.

The recent unrest in several Chinese cities is “a big deal,” Ai acknowledges. But he calls for “realistic thinking” about the protests.

The country's most powerful armed rebel group has played a prominent role in battling the pandemic in the areas under its control.

Guangzhou, Shijiazhuang, Chengdu, and other major cities announced they were easing testing requirements and controls on movement.

Will a post-COVID China still be committed to a policy of opening to the world?

“In China, everyone is one step from becoming a dissident” – and zero COVID has pushed many to make that final step.

Changes in China's anti-virus controls may be a step toward lifting controls, but "zero COVID" might stay in place until as late as the second half of next year.