The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Wednesday said that China still has room to adjust its strict zero-Covid policy, pointing out that the nation's stringent policies have been especially hard on the people.

In an email statement to AFP a spokesperson for IMF, "Covid and Covid-related restrictions are hard on people... This has been the case everywhere, and even more so in China."

Watch |&nbsp;World Business Watch: China's factory, service activities shrink to 7 month low

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The organisation said that Chinese authorities have made policies more targeted, and "there is scope for further gradual, safe recalibration."

Three years into the pandemic, when many countries have eased covid containment measures like lockdowns, China still regularly deploys such measures, locking up entire neighbourhoods and cities to eradicate the virus. These strict measures come with a heavy toll on citizens and the nation's economy.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-government-relaxes-covid-19-rules-in-several-districts-in-guangzhou-538833">Chinese government relaxes COVID-19 rules in several districts of Guangzhou</a>

IMF said that China's economy has partially recovered and an adjustment of its policy may help growth in 2023, while also supporting the global economy.

For a large part of this year, the Chinese major business hub has been under lockdown. This has not only impacted Beijing's economy but also the global markets, and supply chains.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/3-years-of-covid-was-his-entire-life-in-china-child-dies-due-to-lockdown-rules-father-offered-hush-money-530653">'3 years of COVID was his entire life': In China, child dies due to lockdown rules, father offered hush money</a>

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Recently, following reports of deaths due to these lockdowns people have protested, raging across the nation in a "rare outpouring" of anger.&nbsp;A fire in a high-rise building in Xinjiang that killed ten people last week reportedly acted as a catalyst for these protests. Many have alleged that a partial lockdown on the building fatally delayed rescue operations and also obstructed escape routes.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Wednesday said that China still has room to adjust its strict zero-Covid policy, pointing out that the nation's stringent policies have been especially hard on the people.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Wednesday said that China still has room to adjust its strict zero-Covid policy, pointing out that the nation's stringent policies have been especially hard on the people. In an email statement to AFP a spokesperson for IMF, "Covid and Covid-related restrictions are hard on people... This has been the case everywhere, and even more so in China." Watch | World Business Watch: China's factory, service activities shrink to 7 month low The organisation said that Chinese authorities have made policies more targeted, and "there is scope for further gradual, safe recalibration." Three years into the pandemic, when many countries have eased covid containment measures like lockdowns, China still regularly deploys such measures, locking up entire neighbourhoods and cities to eradicate the virus. These strict measures come with a heavy toll on citizens and the nation's economy. Also read | Chinese government relaxes COVID-19 rules in several districts of Guangzhou IMF said that China's economy has partially recovered and an adjustment of its policy may help growth in 2023, while also supporting the global economy. For a large part of this year, the Chinese major business hub has been under lockdown. This has not only impacted Beijing's economy but also the global markets, and supply chains. Also read | '3 years of COVID was his entire life': In China, child dies due to lockdown rules, father offered hush money Recently, following reports of deaths due to these lockdowns people have protested, raging across the nation in a "rare outpouring" of anger. A fire in a high-rise building in Xinjiang that killed ten people last week reportedly acted as a catalyst for these protests. Many have alleged that a partial lockdown on the building fatally delayed rescue operations and also obstructed escape routes. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

China can adjust its strict zero-Covid policy, it's been hard on people, says IMF

Chinese authorities face criticism&nbsp;on Thursday after a four-month-old&nbsp;baby died because of a delay in her treatment due to Covid restrictions imposed in Zhengzhou, as per reports.&nbsp;

The father claimed that medical professionals refused to attend her who vomiting and had diarrhoea.&nbsp;The child died the same day.&nbsp;

The incident comes along with the claims made by the authorities. The Chinese authorities made statements regarding increasing not only vaccination doses but also promised to install nearly 250K covid beds for the treatment.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-latest-covid-19-lockdowns-spark-protests-in-in-guangzhou-watch-534361">Also&nbsp;read |&nbsp;China's latest COVID-19 lockdowns spark protests in Guangzhou - WATCH</a>

The Asian country recently reported over 20,000 cases in a day, the highest in six months. The death toll still remains around 5,000, a toll which hasn't changed lately.&nbsp;

As reported by Chinese media outlets, Li Baoling and his daughter were quarantined in a hotel after his wife tested positive for the virus. Soon his daughter fell sick. Li, then immediately called an ambulance, the medical then asked the hotel to conduct a test&nbsp;and if she is positive then she'll be admitted. The child&nbsp;tested negative for the virus, stating she to not ill, but the medics didn't call for treatment. Monitoring her further, the health of the baby deteriorated, BBC reported.&nbsp;

The father then approached the second ambulance&nbsp;which took the family 100km away from their hotel for the treatment. Her temperature dropped and she dies. The husband and wife are still in quarantine, while the&nbsp;child's body is in the morgue. The Zhengzhou Municipal corporation stated that a probe is underway for the matter.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-responds-to-viral-video-in-which-xi-was-seen-criticising-trudeau-in-meeting-at-g20-535084">Also read |&nbsp;China responds to viral video in which Xi was seen 'trying to censure' Trudeau at G20</a>

Millions of Chinese have read Li's story and some have even criticised the authorities badly. The comments and stories are no longer available because they have been censored.&nbsp;

Similar instances where children have died&nbsp;have been reported all across the country. Demonstrations in Lanzhou were done after a father said that his toddler son died due to a delay in his treatment.&nbsp; In October, a 14-year-old girl died after falling ill in a covid quarantine centre.&nbsp;

Guangzhou, home to 13 million people on Thursday announced that it is planning to surge covid facilities after the city reported over 9,000 cases in a day or nearly 40 per cent of the population tested positive for the virus.&nbsp;

A Chinese health expert on Thursday also said that the country will soon start working on speeding up covid vaccinations&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Chinese authorities face criticism on Thursday after a four-month-old baby died because of a delay in her treatment due to Covid restrictions imposed in Zhengzhou, as per reports.

Chinese authorities face criticism on Thursday after a four-month-old baby died because of a delay in her treatment due to Covid restrictions imposed in Zhengzhou, as per reports. The father claimed that medical professionals refused to attend her who vomiting and had diarrhoea. The child died the same day. The incident comes along with the claims made by the authorities. The Chinese authorities made statements regarding increasing not only vaccination doses but also promised to install nearly 250K covid beds for the treatment. Also read | China's latest COVID-19 lockdowns spark protests in Guangzhou - WATCH The Asian country recently reported over 20,000 cases in a day, the highest in six months. The death toll still remains around 5,000, a toll which hasn't changed lately. As reported by Chinese media outlets, Li Baoling and his daughter were quarantined in a hotel after his wife tested positive for the virus. Soon his daughter fell sick. Li, then immediately called an ambulance, the medical then asked the hotel to conduct a test and if she is positive then she'll be admitted. The child tested negative for the virus, stating she to not ill, but the medics didn't call for treatment. Monitoring her further, the health of the baby deteriorated, BBC reported. The father then approached the second ambulance which took the family 100km away from their hotel for the treatment. Her temperature dropped and she dies. The husband and wife are still in quarantine, while the child's body is in the morgue. The Zhengzhou Municipal corporation stated that a probe is underway for the matter. Also read | China responds to viral video in which Xi was seen 'trying to censure' Trudeau at G20 Millions of Chinese have read Li's story and some have even criticised the authorities badly. The comments and stories are no longer available because they have been censored. Similar instances where children have died have been reported all across the country. Demonstrations in Lanzhou were done after a father said that his toddler son died due to a delay in his treatment. In October, a 14-year-old girl died after falling ill in a covid quarantine centre. Guangzhou, home to 13 million people on Thursday announced that it is planning to surge covid facilities after the city reported over 9,000 cases in a day or nearly 40 per cent of the population tested positive for the virus. A Chinese health expert on Thursday also said that the country will soon start working on speeding up covid vaccinations (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

China COVID-19: Authorities face anger after an infant dies due to delay in treatment amid restrictions

A day after authorities in Macau mass-tested all its 700,000 residents, a second round of Covid-19 RT-PCR testing was announced Wednesday. The mass testing spree, prompted by the emergence of new Covid-19 cases at a major casino in Macau last weekend underlines the adoption of China’s zero-Covid policy that seeks to ensure absence of Covid-19 cases in China.&nbsp;

The second round of mass testing has been scheduled for all 700,000 residents of Macau on Friday and Saturday.

Earlier on Sunday, authorities in Macau locked down MGM China’s Cotai casino resort with nearly 1500 guests and staff directed to stay inside for three days. It is not immediately clear if they were released after the first round of testing on Tuesday.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/china-covid-chaos-shanghai-government-bars-people-from-entering-and-exiting-disney-park-529933">China Covid Chaos: Shanghai government bars people from entering and exiting Disney park</a>

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After a three-month long duration of virtually no Covid cases, Macau reported 11 new infections last week. Macau, the world's biggest gambling hub, saw the return of Covid-related curbs with the discovery of new cases last week, prompting worries for casino executives and investors.&nbsp;

In mainland China, the authorities directed the closure of Disney’s Shanghai resort to contain Covid infections this week. Meanwhile, workers at Zhengzhou’s Foxconn plant, China’s biggest iPhone-making unit, started fleeing to their native places to escape strict Covid restrictions in place. The Foxconn facility was locked down due to a Covid outbreak on campus, leading to a major disruption in production. Authorities Wednesday imposed a seven-day lockdown of the area that houses the Foxconn plant, an order that could hit the iPhone assembler’s shipments.

(With inputs from agencies)

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A day after authorities in Macau mass-tested all its 700,000 residents, a second round of Covid-19 RT-PCR testing was announced Wednesday. The mass testing spree, prompted by the emergence of new Covid-19 cases at a major casino in Macau last weekend underlines the adoption of China’s zero-Covid policy that seeks to ensure absence of Covid-19 cases in China.

A day after authorities in Macau mass-tested all its 700,000 residents, a second round of Covid-19 RT-PCR testing was announced Wednesday. The mass testing spree, prompted by the emergence of new Covid-19 cases at a major casino in Macau last weekend underlines the adoption of China’s zero-Covid policy that seeks to ensure absence of Covid-19 cases in China. The second round of mass testing has been scheduled for all 700,000 residents of Macau on Friday and Saturday. Earlier on Sunday, authorities in Macau locked down MGM China’s Cotai casino resort with nearly 1500 guests and staff directed to stay inside for three days. It is not immediately clear if they were released after the first round of testing on Tuesday. WATCH | China Covid Chaos: Shanghai government bars people from entering and exiting Disney park × After a three-month long duration of virtually no Covid cases, Macau reported 11 new infections last week. Macau, the world's biggest gambling hub, saw the return of Covid-related curbs with the discovery of new cases last week, prompting worries for casino executives and investors. In mainland China, the authorities directed the closure of Disney’s Shanghai resort to contain Covid infections this week. Meanwhile, workers at Zhengzhou’s Foxconn plant, China’s biggest iPhone-making unit, started fleeing to their native places to escape strict Covid restrictions in place. The Foxconn facility was locked down due to a Covid outbreak on campus, leading to a major disruption in production. Authorities Wednesday imposed a seven-day lockdown of the area that houses the Foxconn plant, an order that could hit the iPhone assembler’s shipments. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

COVID-19: Macau announces second round of mass testing in week for 700,000 residents

Continuing its hardline ‘Zero-COVID’ policy, the Shanghai administration in China on Friday ordered a lockdown and mass testing of all 1.3 million residents of its downtown Yangpu district, confining them to their homes until results are known, reports AP. 
 
The order is an echo of measures over the summer that led to a two-month lockdown of the entire city of 25 million that devastated the local economy, prompted food shortages and rare confrontations between residents and authorities. 
 
At the start of the lockdown, authorities said they would last just days but then kept extending the deadline. 
 
China on Friday reported 1,337 new cases — most of them asymptomatic — and no new deaths. Shanghai reported 11 asymptomatic cases and Tibet had one confirmed case with symptoms and five asymptomatic cases. China says it has recorded a total of 258,660 cases and 5,226 deaths since the pandemic was first detected in the central city of Wuhan in late 2019. 
 
ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cities-in-china-tighten-measures-to-combat-growing-covid-19-outbreaks-528777">China: Wuhan, Guangzhou and other cities tighten measures to combat growing COVID-19 outbreaks</a> 
 
In a sign China's tough measures will be maintained in the long term, Shanghai plans to build a permanent quarantine centre on an island in the Huangpu river, according to the business magazine Caixin. 
 
The $221 million project on Fuxing Island will expand existing facilities to create 3,009 isolation rooms and 3,250 beds, with construction expected to be completed in six months, Caixin said. 
 
China has shown no sign of backing away from its hardline ‘Zero-COVID’ policy since the ruling Communist Party congress concluded this week by awarding Xi Jinping a third five-year term in power and packed top bodies with his loyalists. 
 
Strict measures have been imposed across the country, from Shanghai in the east to Tibet far to the west, where anti-lockdown protests have also been reported.&nbsp;Cellphone footage smuggled out of the region showed crowds of both native Tibetans and Han Chinese migrants milling in the streets of Lhasa to protest a lockdown that has lasted as long as 74 days.&nbsp; 
 
Lhasa has been under tight surveillance since anti-government protests broke out in the city in 2008 before spreading across Tibetan areas.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/report-how-china-used-its-zero-covid-policy-to-harass-us-diplomats-in-beijing-528970">Did China use its 'zero-Covid policy' to 'harass' US diplomats in Beijing?</a> 
 
Many Chinese had hoped for a relaxation of the strict anti-COVID-19 protocols, which remain in place even as the rest of the world has opened up.&nbsp; 
 
China's domestically developed vaccines are considered relatively ineffective and it has refused to approve foreign brands such as Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and J&amp;J. 
Still, China wants more people to get booster shots before it relaxes its restrictions. As of mid-October, 90% of Chinese were fully vaccinated and 57% had received a booster shot.

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Continuing its hardline ‘Zero-COVID’ policy, the Shanghai administration in China on Friday ordered a lockdown and mass testing of all 1.3 million residents of its downtown Yangpu district, confining them to their homes until results are known, reports AP.

Continuing its hardline ‘Zero-COVID’ policy, the Shanghai administration in China on Friday ordered a lockdown and mass testing of all 1.3 million residents of its downtown Yangpu district, confining them to their homes until results are known, reports AP. The order is an echo of measures over the summer that led to a two-month lockdown of the entire city of 25 million that devastated the local economy, prompted food shortages and rare confrontations between residents and authorities. At the start of the lockdown, authorities said they would last just days but then kept extending the deadline. China on Friday reported 1,337 new cases — most of them asymptomatic — and no new deaths. Shanghai reported 11 asymptomatic cases and Tibet had one confirmed case with symptoms and five asymptomatic cases. China says it has recorded a total of 258,660 cases and 5,226 deaths since the pandemic was first detected in the central city of Wuhan in late 2019. ALSO READ | China: Wuhan, Guangzhou and other cities tighten measures to combat growing COVID-19 outbreaks In a sign China's tough measures will be maintained in the long term, Shanghai plans to build a permanent quarantine centre on an island in the Huangpu river, according to the business magazine Caixin. The $221 million project on Fuxing Island will expand existing facilities to create 3,009 isolation rooms and 3,250 beds, with construction expected to be completed in six months, Caixin said. China has shown no sign of backing away from its hardline ‘Zero-COVID’ policy since the ruling Communist Party congress concluded this week by awarding Xi Jinping a third five-year term in power and packed top bodies with his loyalists. Strict measures have been imposed across the country, from Shanghai in the east to Tibet far to the west, where anti-lockdown protests have also been reported. Cellphone footage smuggled out of the region showed crowds of both native Tibetans and Han Chinese migrants milling in the streets of Lhasa to protest a lockdown that has lasted as long as 74 days. Lhasa has been under tight surveillance since anti-government protests broke out in the city in 2008 before spreading across Tibetan areas. ALSO READ | Did China use its 'zero-Covid policy' to 'harass' US diplomats in Beijing? Many Chinese had hoped for a relaxation of the strict anti-COVID-19 protocols, which remain in place even as the rest of the world has opened up. China's domestically developed vaccines are considered relatively ineffective and it has refused to approve foreign brands such as Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and J&J. Still, China wants more people to get booster shots before it relaxes its restrictions. As of mid-October, 90% of Chinese were fully vaccinated and 57% had received a booster shot. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

More Covid cases detected, Shanghai district imposes lockdown, orders mass testing

According to a report by Bloomberg, released earlier today, Hong Kong is set to make Covid-19 PCR tests available within walking distance, by converting some of its “mobile stations” into “community testing centres” which will lead to a network of at least 85 facilities spread across the financial hub.&nbsp;

This comes as the government has also set to reduce the prices of the tests later this month. In a statement released on Thursday, they said that about 70% of its population will be able to reach one of these community testing centres within 15 minutes. Currently, a PCR test that gives the result within 24 hours costs HK$240, which will be reduced to HK$150. However, the residents can opt for the 12-hour test which will cost HK$240, said the report.&nbsp;

The authorities in Hong Kong also recently dropped their mandatory hotel quarantine and PCR tests before departure, however, travellers are still not allowed to move around freely after landing and have to adhere to a strict testing regimen for at least three days, said the report.&nbsp; 
 
ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-hong-kong-will-ease-social-distancing-rules-from-october-6-521354">COVID-19: Hong Kong will ease social distancing rules from October 6</a>

The report suggests that the officials in Hong Kong are trying to strike balance between living with the virus in a post-pandemic world but also adhering to the zero-Covid measures adopted by mainland China. On the other hand, Beijing has built a network of tens of thousands of testing booths across major cities where the goal is to have a test centre just a 15-minute walk away from any resident.&nbsp;

In an interview with Bloomberg last week, the secretary for health Lo Chung-mau of Hong Kong said that the government will keep testing travellers in case of the emergence of new variants of Covid, saying that the city is obliged to not introduce another major outbreak in mainland China.&nbsp; 
 
Hong Kong still follows a strict mask mandate and testing rules which most other countries have dropped, this has put them at odds and reportedly prompted large business groups in the financial hub to call upon the authorities urging them to further ease&nbsp;Covid-19 related&nbsp;restrictions. This comes as the city is set to host a banking summit and international rugby competition in November this year. 
 
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According to a report by Bloomberg, released earlier today, Hong Kong is set to make Covid-19 PCR tests available within walking distance, by converting some of its “mobile stations” into “community testing centres” which will lead to a network of at least 85 facilities spread across the financial hub.

According to a report by Bloomberg, released earlier today, Hong Kong is set to make Covid-19 PCR tests available within walking distance, by converting some of its “mobile stations” into “community testing centres” which will lead to a network of at least 85 facilities spread across the financial hub. This comes as the government has also set to reduce the prices of the tests later this month. In a statement released on Thursday, they said that about 70% of its population will be able to reach one of these community testing centres within 15 minutes. Currently, a PCR test that gives the result within 24 hours costs HK$240, which will be reduced to HK$150. However, the residents can opt for the 12-hour test which will cost HK$240, said the report. The authorities in Hong Kong also recently dropped their mandatory hotel quarantine and PCR tests before departure, however, travellers are still not allowed to move around freely after landing and have to adhere to a strict testing regimen for at least three days, said the report. ALSO READ: COVID-19: Hong Kong will ease social distancing rules from October 6 The report suggests that the officials in Hong Kong are trying to strike balance between living with the virus in a post-pandemic world but also adhering to the zero-Covid measures adopted by mainland China. On the other hand, Beijing has built a network of tens of thousands of testing booths across major cities where the goal is to have a test centre just a 15-minute walk away from any resident. In an interview with Bloomberg last week, the secretary for health Lo Chung-mau of Hong Kong said that the government will keep testing travellers in case of the emergence of new variants of Covid, saying that the city is obliged to not introduce another major outbreak in mainland China. Hong Kong still follows a strict mask mandate and testing rules which most other countries have dropped, this has put them at odds and reportedly prompted large business groups in the financial hub to call upon the authorities urging them to further ease Covid-19 related restrictions. This comes as the city is set to host a banking summit and international rugby competition in November this year. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Report: Hong Kong to make Covid PCR tests available within walking distance

It's been months since China has been dealing with COVID-19. While many cities are now easing coronavirus restrictions, Xinjiang has suspended all passenger trains in an effort to stop the spread of the virus.

As per Xinjiang Daily, the authorities said that they are trying to stop the spread of the virus. Xinjiang's vice chairman, Liu Sushe, said, "The outbreak that was effectively controlled by the end of August saw a rebound because people became relaxed and measures were not strictly put in place."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/zero-covid-a-crumbling-real-estate-market-and-more-chinese-economy-and-the-challenges-it-faces-522534">Also read |&nbsp;Zero-Covid, a crumbling real estate market and more: Chinese economy and the challenges it faces</a>

He further said that infection cases in various places have increased, making the situation difficult for authorities to handle&nbsp;and conveyed his apologies for the situation, the South China Morning Post reported.&nbsp;

Many workers in the region have tested positive for infection. The chairman claimed it was because of lack of professionalism and low testing capabilities.&nbsp;

Sushe said, "We have not been able to achieve dynamic Zero Covid for more than two months because of the highly infectious BA.5.2 variant and the ineffectiveness of our control measures."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-economy-continues-to-struggle-amid-erratic-policies-and-decisions-521091">Also read |&nbsp;Chinese economy continues to struggle amid 'erratic' policies and decisions</a>

Residents in the area last month complained about the scarcity of food and supplies of necessities.

The vice-mayor of Xinjiang has declared that no one will be allowed to leave the city, not even people with "reasons."

The authorities continue to impose harsh restrictions, which irritate and annoy the citizens. Has the Communist Party failed in its goal? Will China be able to achieve its Zero-Covid goal?&nbsp;

(With input from agencies)

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It's been months since China has been dealing with COVID-19. While many cities are now easing coronavirus restrictions, Xinjiang has suspended all passenger trains in an effort to stop the spread of the virus.

It's been months since China has been dealing with COVID-19. While many cities are now easing coronavirus restrictions, Xinjiang has suspended all passenger trains in an effort to stop the spread of the virus. As per Xinjiang Daily, the authorities said that they are trying to stop the spread of the virus. Xinjiang's vice chairman, Liu Sushe, said, "The outbreak that was effectively controlled by the end of August saw a rebound because people became relaxed and measures were not strictly put in place." Also read | Zero-Covid, a crumbling real estate market and more: Chinese economy and the challenges it faces He further said that infection cases in various places have increased, making the situation difficult for authorities to handle and conveyed his apologies for the situation, the South China Morning Post reported. Many workers in the region have tested positive for infection. The chairman claimed it was because of lack of professionalism and low testing capabilities. Sushe said, "We have not been able to achieve dynamic Zero Covid for more than two months because of the highly infectious BA.5.2 variant and the ineffectiveness of our control measures." Also read | Chinese economy continues to struggle amid 'erratic' policies and decisions Residents in the area last month complained about the scarcity of food and supplies of necessities. The vice-mayor of Xinjiang has declared that no one will be allowed to leave the city, not even people with "reasons." The authorities continue to impose harsh restrictions, which irritate and annoy the citizens. Has the Communist Party failed in its goal? Will China be able to achieve its Zero-Covid goal? (With input from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

COVID-19: China's Xinjiang suspends all passenger trains in attempt to control outbreak

In a rare happening, a Chinese think tank has issued a public discord with Beijing's communist party's severe "zero-Covid" policy and said that the curbs must change.

The report has since been taken down. However, even such mild public disagreement with official policy is nearly unheard of. More so in such a politically charged year in which the Chinese premier Xi Jinping is anticipated to try to extend his presidency.

As per an AP report, the think tank in question is the Anbound Research Center and while the organisation mentioned "changes" are needed to prevent an "economic stall" it failed to provide details.

Watch |&nbsp;WION Fineprint | Chinese textbooks changed after 'ugly' cartoons spark outcry

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In a report titled It's Time for China to Adjust Its Virus Control and Prevention Policies, the think tank stated that "Preventing the risk of economic stall should be the priority task".

It pointed out that after removing anti-disease measures, the US, Europe, and Japan were seeing economic growth, and that Xi Jinping's government should concentrate on shoring up falling growth in China.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-a-spike-in-covid-cases-china-closes-worlds-largest-electronic-market-in-shenzhen-511257">Amid a spike in Covid cases, China closes world's largest electronic market in Shenzhen</a>

The report, which was published on the popular messaging app WeChat and the Sina Weibo messaging service on Sunday, was taken down from both the next day.

Despite the arduous efforts and the stringent measures of Xi's "Zero-Covid policy", the Chinese government has been unable to contain the outbreaks.

As per ANI, a&nbsp;dramatic increase in the COVID-19 virus has been recorded in some areas of China, and the fifth wave's emergence has forced the populace to once more deal with the authoritarian government's continuous restrictions.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-cloud-seeding-activities-in-chinas-chongqing-experts-warn-of-possible-floods-510880">After cloud-seeding activities in China's Chongqing, experts warn of possible floods</a>

CNN reports that Huaqiangbei, a bustling commercial centre with thousands of shops selling computer parts, cell phone parts, and microchips, and two other neighbourhoods in the Futian district have been put on a four-day mandatory lockdown.

The anti-virus restrictions are anticipated to last at least until the conclusion of the Communist party meeting in October and November, where Xi is anticipated to defy tradition and nominate himself for a third five-year term in office.

(With inputs from agencies)

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In a rare happening, a Chinese think tank has issued a public discord with Beijing's communist party's severe "zero-Covid" policy and said that the curbs must change.

In a rare happening, a Chinese think tank has issued a public discord with Beijing's communist party's severe "zero-Covid" policy and said that the curbs must change. The report has since been taken down. However, even such mild public disagreement with official policy is nearly unheard of. More so in such a politically charged year in which the Chinese premier Xi Jinping is anticipated to try to extend his presidency. As per an AP report, the think tank in question is the Anbound Research Center and while the organisation mentioned "changes" are needed to prevent an "economic stall" it failed to provide details. Watch | WION Fineprint | Chinese textbooks changed after 'ugly' cartoons spark outcry In a report titled It's Time for China to Adjust Its Virus Control and Prevention Policies, the think tank stated that "Preventing the risk of economic stall should be the priority task". It pointed out that after removing anti-disease measures, the US, Europe, and Japan were seeing economic growth, and that Xi Jinping's government should concentrate on shoring up falling growth in China. Also read | Amid a spike in Covid cases, China closes world's largest electronic market in Shenzhen The report, which was published on the popular messaging app WeChat and the Sina Weibo messaging service on Sunday, was taken down from both the next day. Despite the arduous efforts and the stringent measures of Xi's "Zero-Covid policy", the Chinese government has been unable to contain the outbreaks. As per ANI, a dramatic increase in the COVID-19 virus has been recorded in some areas of China, and the fifth wave's emergence has forced the populace to once more deal with the authoritarian government's continuous restrictions. Also read | After cloud-seeding activities in China's Chongqing, experts warn of possible floods CNN reports that Huaqiangbei, a bustling commercial centre with thousands of shops selling computer parts, cell phone parts, and microchips, and two other neighbourhoods in the Futian district have been put on a four-day mandatory lockdown. The anti-virus restrictions are anticipated to last at least until the conclusion of the Communist party meeting in October and November, where Xi is anticipated to defy tradition and nominate himself for a third five-year term in office. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Xi Jinping's 'zero-covid' policy faces rare public criticism

Mass Covid testing has been rolled out in the Chinese metropolis of Chongqing after it reported 40 Covid-19 infections on Wednesday. The problem, however, isn't this. The country is currently facing a record heatwave&nbsp;and millions of residents are left standing under the sun, waiting to be tested. Several parts of China are battling wildfires and drought amidst a crippling heatwave.

Over 10 million people in the city's central urban districts have been ordered to undergo mandatory Covid tests amidst soaring temperatures, with the highest in Chongqing crossing the 40 degrees Celsius mark. Over 3,800 temporary testing sites have been set up across the central districts, and people have been sharing photos of people passing out in the extreme heat.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/severe-heatwave-conditions-in-china-threaten-to-destroy-the-autumn-harvest-509712">'Severe' heatwave conditions in China threaten to destroy autumn harvest</a>

"It's 43 degrees, the people of Chongqing are already stretched to the limit," a resident said on Weibo.

The reason people are enduring such extreme heat and queueing up to get tested instead of simply skipping it is that they need the health codes on their mobile phones to turn green from orange if they wish to go about their daily lives. That will only happen if they complete the Covid tests.&nbsp;

If people don't go through the process, they won't be allowed to enter public spaces and attend gatherings. A resident told CNN that his health code app told him Wednesday midnight that he needs to take the test. "Forcing more than 10 million people to do Covid tests in such high temperatures is deplorable," he told CNN. "This is neither scientific, reasonable, nor legal." He later faced a&nbsp;problem when he was barred from entering a supermarket because of the orange code on his health app.

A record heatwave is crippling the country. Wildfires have enveloped the area in recent days with firefighters battling the fires. Residents of Chongqing have been complaining of smelling smoke in their houses. The country is facing power outages amid high demand for air-conditioning and reductions in hydropower capacity due to droughts.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

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Mass Covid testing has been rolled out in the Chinese metropolis of Chongqing after it reported 40 Covid-19 infections on Wednesday. The problem, however, isn't this.

Mass Covid testing has been rolled out in the Chinese metropolis of Chongqing after it reported 40 Covid-19 infections on Wednesday. The problem, however, isn't this. The country is currently facing a record heatwave and millions of residents are left standing under the sun, waiting to be tested. Several parts of China are battling wildfires and drought amidst a crippling heatwave. Over 10 million people in the city's central urban districts have been ordered to undergo mandatory Covid tests amidst soaring temperatures, with the highest in Chongqing crossing the 40 degrees Celsius mark. Over 3,800 temporary testing sites have been set up across the central districts, and people have been sharing photos of people passing out in the extreme heat. Also Read | 'Severe' heatwave conditions in China threaten to destroy autumn harvest "It's 43 degrees, the people of Chongqing are already stretched to the limit," a resident said on Weibo. The reason people are enduring such extreme heat and queueing up to get tested instead of simply skipping it is that they need the health codes on their mobile phones to turn green from orange if they wish to go about their daily lives. That will only happen if they complete the Covid tests. If people don't go through the process, they won't be allowed to enter public spaces and attend gatherings. A resident told CNN that his health code app told him Wednesday midnight that he needs to take the test. "Forcing more than 10 million people to do Covid tests in such high temperatures is deplorable," he told CNN. "This is neither scientific, reasonable, nor legal." He later faced a problem when he was barred from entering a supermarket because of the orange code on his health app. A record heatwave is crippling the country. Wildfires have enveloped the area in recent days with firefighters battling the fires. Residents of Chongqing have been complaining of smelling smoke in their houses. The country is facing power outages amid high demand for air-conditioning and reductions in hydropower capacity due to droughts. (With inputs from agencies)

As temperatures soar in China, millions wait in queues to get tested for Covid

China, which has been facing a steady fall in its birth rates since 2017, claims that the coronavirus pandemic has contributed to the downward trend.

The country's National Health Commission stated that COVID-19 has contributed to the nation's declining marriage and birth rates.

"The coronavirus has also had a clear impact on the marriage and childbirth arrangements of some people," said the commission, responding to questions from Reuters.

Watch&nbsp;|&nbsp;China's harsh covid-19 lockdowns exacerbate population crisis

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According to the report, many women are still delaying their plans to get married or have kids, even though swift social and economic transformation has brought about "deep shifts".

Young people moving to metropolitan areas, spending more time in school, and having demanding jobs have all contributed, it said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-introduces-new-policies-as-birth-rate-continues-to-fall-508262">China introduces new policies as birth rate continues to fall</a>

According to demographers, China's staunch "zero-COVID" policy, "with (its) strict controls on people's lives may have caused profound, lasting damage on their desire to have children."

Demographers predict that the number of births in the country will plummet to historic lows this year, dropping from 10.6 million newborns in 2018 to less than 10 million this year.

In 2021, China's fertility rate was 1.16, one of the lowest rates recorded globally.&nbsp;As per OECD for a stable population, a fertility rate of 2.1 is necessary.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-to-discourage-abortions-offer-benefits-in-bid-to-improve-birth-rate-507462">China’s population will begin to fall by 2025 as family size grows smaller: Officials</a>

Beijing, which implemented a one-child policy from 1980 to 2015, has acknowledged that its population is in danger of declining, posing a challenge to the country's ability to support and care for its elderly.

Recently the country has introduced a spate of programmes to encourage childbirth,&nbsp;including maternity leaves, preferential housing &amp; tax policies, and prenatal and post-natal care.

(With inputs from agencies)

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China, which has been facing a steady fall in its birth rates since 2017, claims that the coronavirus pandemic has contributed to the downward trend. The country's National Health Commission stated that COVID-19 has contributed to the nation's declining marriage and birth rates.

China, which has been facing a steady fall in its birth rates since 2017, claims that the coronavirus pandemic has contributed to the downward trend. The country's National Health Commission stated that COVID-19 has contributed to the nation's declining marriage and birth rates. "The coronavirus has also had a clear impact on the marriage and childbirth arrangements of some people," said the commission, responding to questions from Reuters. Watch | China's harsh covid-19 lockdowns exacerbate population crisis According to the report, many women are still delaying their plans to get married or have kids, even though swift social and economic transformation has brought about "deep shifts". Young people moving to metropolitan areas, spending more time in school, and having demanding jobs have all contributed, it said. Also read | China introduces new policies as birth rate continues to fall According to demographers, China's staunch "zero-COVID" policy, "with (its) strict controls on people's lives may have caused profound, lasting damage on their desire to have children." Demographers predict that the number of births in the country will plummet to historic lows this year, dropping from 10.6 million newborns in 2018 to less than 10 million this year. In 2021, China's fertility rate was 1.16, one of the lowest rates recorded globally. As per OECD for a stable population, a fertility rate of 2.1 is necessary. Also read | China’s population will begin to fall by 2025 as family size grows smaller: Officials Beijing, which implemented a one-child policy from 1980 to 2015, has acknowledged that its population is in danger of declining, posing a challenge to the country's ability to support and care for its elderly. Recently the country has introduced a spate of programmes to encourage childbirth, including maternity leaves, preferential housing & tax policies, and prenatal and post-natal care. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Covid pandemic made China's population crisis worse: Report

China, which has long touted its zero-covid policy seems to have failed miserably in its fight against the coronavirus. The country, which was the first to declare itself "covid free" in early 2021, has been reporting new cases of the virus.

As per an ANI report, cases are being reported from tourist hubs of Hainan and Tibet. Reportedly, new areas are reporting outbreaks even as the old areas remain hotspots.

Xi Jinping's 'Zero-covid' policy involves abrupt enforcement of lockdowns&nbsp;and has left tens of thousands of tourists stranded.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;China battles Covid outbreaks in tourism hubs

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Tibet, which has reported only one asymptomatic case since the COVID-19 pandemic began in China, has recently discovered 28 new Covid patients, causing widespread alarm. Chinese agencies are now constructing makeshift hospitals with nearly 3,000 beds.

People in areas, which are recently reporting Covid, are concerned about long-term lockdowns like the one in Shanghai&nbsp;as theu could affect their careers, basic freedoms, and mental health.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-ex-covid-patients-live-under-dark-shadow-of-stigma-505879">China's ex-Covid patients live under 'dark shadow' of stigma</a>

Chinese citizens vented their frustrations on social media, sparking a public outcry against Xi's Zero-Covid policy. Some reported that children, even infants, were forcibly separated from their parents.

"I definitely don't want my children to carry the uncertainty of living in a country where the government can just come to your door and do whatever they want," said one user, Jiang.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-reports-1094-new-covid-cases-on-august-9-increase-from-939-cases-day-earlier-505379">China reports 1,094 new Covid cases on August 9, increase from 939 cases day earlier</a>

The government has already shut down pubs, restaurants, and shopping malls and has also begun halting train and aviation services in newly infected areas.

The Zero-Covid policy may force the closure of supermarket stores. In Hainan and Tibet, where tourists can be seen stranded at airports, this has produced chaos.

(With inputs from agencies)

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China, which has long touted its zero-covid policy seems to have failed miserably in its fight against the coronavirus. The country, which was the first to declare itself "covid free" in early 2021, has been reporting new cases of the virus.

China, which has long touted its zero-covid policy seems to have failed miserably in its fight against the coronavirus. The country, which was the first to declare itself "covid free" in early 2021, has been reporting new cases of the virus. As per an ANI report, cases are being reported from tourist hubs of Hainan and Tibet. Reportedly, new areas are reporting outbreaks even as the old areas remain hotspots. Xi Jinping's 'Zero-covid' policy involves abrupt enforcement of lockdowns and has left tens of thousands of tourists stranded. Watch | China battles Covid outbreaks in tourism hubs Tibet, which has reported only one asymptomatic case since the COVID-19 pandemic began in China, has recently discovered 28 new Covid patients, causing widespread alarm. Chinese agencies are now constructing makeshift hospitals with nearly 3,000 beds. People in areas, which are recently reporting Covid, are concerned about long-term lockdowns like the one in Shanghai as theu could affect their careers, basic freedoms, and mental health. Also read | China's ex-Covid patients live under 'dark shadow' of stigma Chinese citizens vented their frustrations on social media, sparking a public outcry against Xi's Zero-Covid policy. Some reported that children, even infants, were forcibly separated from their parents. "I definitely don't want my children to carry the uncertainty of living in a country where the government can just come to your door and do whatever they want," said one user, Jiang. Also read | China reports 1,094 new Covid cases on August 9, increase from 939 cases day earlier The government has already shut down pubs, restaurants, and shopping malls and has also begun halting train and aviation services in newly infected areas. The Zero-Covid policy may force the closure of supermarket stores. In Hainan and Tibet, where tourists can be seen stranded at airports, this has produced chaos. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Infants separated from parents as China reports new coronavirus cases; Is Xi's 'Zero-Covid' policy a failure?

It started in Wuhan. Now, various major cities and provinces are reporting Covid clusters in China. Infections in Beijing to Shanghai, Hainan, Macau, Xinjiang and many places in between, and the mass testing and rolling lockdowns are exposing China's zero-Covid policy's failure. It begs the questions: Are vaccination numbers reported by China accurate, and are Chinese-made vaccines like Sinovac inefficient?

The latest infections are reported from the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR). A sudden spike in cases there have forced the authorities to close down some parts of Tibet, while launching mass testing in the region which is also a tourist hub.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-more-case-found-through-mass-testing-china-coronavirus-outbreak-grows-494214">Covid-19: More cases found through mass testing, China coronavirus outbreak grows</a>

Meanwhile Hainan province is battling its worst COVID-19 outbreak ever, leaving thousands of tourists stranded.

The country has been adhering to a "dynamic zero COVID-19" policy under which Tibet only witnessed one symptomatic case way back in January, 2020, and saw no COVID-19 cases for over 900 days. But things are slowly unravelling.

While the rest of the world has reopened, China continues to tighten its grip over the virus. The fresh outbreaks have led to the imposition of curbs on Shigatse (Tibet's second biggest city) for three days, under which various events have been cancelled and people have been barred from entering or leaving the city. Several religious, entertainment and tourist venues have also been shut. Tibet's famed Potala Palace, which is a major draw among tourists, has also been closed indefinitely.

Tibet's economy heavily relies on tourism and these latest measures are bound to have a negative impact. Several experts and World Health Organization have called out China for its hardline policy amidst the changing nature of the virus.

China reported 828 new domestically transmitted cases for August 8. Lhasa, the regional capital city of Tibet, reported 18 new cases, one symptomatic and the rest asymptomatic, on Sunday. "Four cases were found earlier in Ngari prefecture’s Burang county. The 22 cases are all related to Tibet’s Shigatse city, home to about 800,000 people," state-run tabloid, Global Times reported.

“Cities of Lhasa and Shigatse are currently carrying out the first round of mass testing and will conduct the second round of testing on Wednesday," it added.

Meanwhile, in the Hainan province, the government is reportedly planning to let tourists in unaffected areas leave after two nucleic acid negative certificates within 48 hours, and three for those in low-risk areas, besides a general screening to check for symptoms.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/they-relied-on-chinese-vaccines-now-theyre-battling-outbreaks-393242">They relied on Chinese vaccines, now they’re battling outbreaks</a>

What could be behind these failures? 
One reason could be that the much-touted vaccination numbers are a lie. Millions of Chinese still live below poverty line, and are unwilling or possibly unable to get vaccinations. The efficacy of vaccines is questionable. There's anecdotal evidence to prove this, given that several Arab countries which reported cases in the previous waves had actually administered China-made vaccines. It's a lesser-known fact that many in Hong Kong had actually taken the Pfizer vaccine, not Chinese vaccines. It may have reduced the number of overall cases there, but China may not wish to advertise this fact, as it would make it look like the mainland is giving Hong Kong a special treatment. Hong Kong did have its own waves of outbreaks in spite of the vaccinations in any case. 
 
A combination of massive population burden, crowd control and governance bottlenecks are leading Chinese authorities to go for the only feasible option: rolling mass lockdowns, quarantines, make-shift hospitals, and mass testing. Poor areas are susceptible to more infections, as people live chock-a-block in congested cities, slums and suburbs. These are probably the factors behind the urgency with which China is cracking down on all who could be potentially infected. In its race to manage headlines, China is aggressively pursuing its failing 'zero-Covid' policy. But whether it is successful or not, the world may never know, just as it won't know the real origin of the virus that began somewhere between a lab and a wet meat market in Wuhan in 2019.

&nbsp;

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It started in Wuhan. Now, various major cities and provinces are reporting Covid clusters in China. Infections in Beijing to Shanghai, Hainan, Macau, Xinjiang and many places in between, and the mass testing and rolling lockdowns are exposing China's zero-Covid policy's failure.

It started in Wuhan. Now, various major cities and provinces are reporting Covid clusters in China. Infections in Beijing to Shanghai, Hainan, Macau, Xinjiang and many places in between, and the mass testing and rolling lockdowns are exposing China's zero-Covid policy's failure. It begs the questions: Are vaccination numbers reported by China accurate, and are Chinese-made vaccines like Sinovac inefficient? The latest infections are reported from the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR). A sudden spike in cases there have forced the authorities to close down some parts of Tibet, while launching mass testing in the region which is also a tourist hub. Also Read | Covid-19: More cases found through mass testing, China coronavirus outbreak grows Meanwhile Hainan province is battling its worst COVID-19 outbreak ever, leaving thousands of tourists stranded. The country has been adhering to a "dynamic zero COVID-19" policy under which Tibet only witnessed one symptomatic case way back in January, 2020, and saw no COVID-19 cases for over 900 days. But things are slowly unravelling. While the rest of the world has reopened, China continues to tighten its grip over the virus. The fresh outbreaks have led to the imposition of curbs on Shigatse (Tibet's second biggest city) for three days, under which various events have been cancelled and people have been barred from entering or leaving the city. Several religious, entertainment and tourist venues have also been shut. Tibet's famed Potala Palace, which is a major draw among tourists, has also been closed indefinitely. Tibet's economy heavily relies on tourism and these latest measures are bound to have a negative impact. Several experts and World Health Organization have called out China for its hardline policy amidst the changing nature of the virus. China reported 828 new domestically transmitted cases for August 8. Lhasa, the regional capital city of Tibet, reported 18 new cases, one symptomatic and the rest asymptomatic, on Sunday. "Four cases were found earlier in Ngari prefecture’s Burang county. The 22 cases are all related to Tibet’s Shigatse city, home to about 800,000 people," state-run tabloid, Global Times reported. “Cities of Lhasa and Shigatse are currently carrying out the first round of mass testing and will conduct the second round of testing on Wednesday," it added. Meanwhile, in the Hainan province, the government is reportedly planning to let tourists in unaffected areas leave after two nucleic acid negative certificates within 48 hours, and three for those in low-risk areas, besides a general screening to check for symptoms. Also Read | They relied on Chinese vaccines, now they’re battling outbreaks What could be behind these failures? One reason could be that the much-touted vaccination numbers are a lie. Millions of Chinese still live below poverty line, and are unwilling or possibly unable to get vaccinations. The efficacy of vaccines is questionable. There's anecdotal evidence to prove this, given that several Arab countries which reported cases in the previous waves had actually administered China-made vaccines. It's a lesser-known fact that many in Hong Kong had actually taken the Pfizer vaccine, not Chinese vaccines. It may have reduced the number of overall cases there, but China may not wish to advertise this fact, as it would make it look like the mainland is giving Hong Kong a special treatment. Hong Kong did have its own waves of outbreaks in spite of the vaccinations in any case. A combination of massive population burden, crowd control and governance bottlenecks are leading Chinese authorities to go for the only feasible option: rolling mass lockdowns, quarantines, make-shift hospitals, and mass testing. Poor areas are susceptible to more infections, as people live chock-a-block in congested cities, slums and suburbs. These are probably the factors behind the urgency with which China is cracking down on all who could be potentially infected. In its race to manage headlines, China is aggressively pursuing its failing 'zero-Covid' policy. But whether it is successful or not, the world may never know, just as it won't know the real origin of the virus that began somewhere between a lab and a wet meat market in Wuhan in 2019. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Beijing, Shanghai, Hainan, HK, Macau, Tibet: Covid outbreaks, lockdowns, mass tests expose China policy fail

Beijing,&nbsp;on Wednesday, mandated COVID vaccinations for most people to enter crowded venues like libraries, cinemas, and gyms. This came as authorities in several Chinese cities raced to contain new outbreaks of a highly contagious sub-variant of Omicron, that have&nbsp;reignited concerns in China. Bejing became the first city on the Chinese mainland to enforce a vaccine mandate, as it attempts to contain a highly contagious Omicron subvariant.&nbsp;Starting July 11, people will have to present proof of vaccination. However, individuals that have been deemed unsuitable for vaccination have been exempted. However, as per Erie News Now, authorities haven't mentioned how these citizens would go about proving their exemption.

Watch |&nbsp;Beijing rolls out China's first-ever COVID-19 vaccine mandate to control the outbreak

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According to SABC News, Beijing has yet to provide specifics regarding the new requirement, including whether it will only call for an initial dose, a complete vaccination, or even a booster dose, and whether it will accept foreign vaccines like those made by Pfizer and Moderna that are still not authorised in China.

In total, mainland China reported 338 new local COVID cases for Wednesday—down from 353—and no new deaths.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-cases-through-karaoke-china-tackles-cluster-in-shanghai-among-other-outbreaks-495048">Covid cases through karaoke? China tackles cluster in Shanghai among other outbreaks</a>

The majority of cases, 167 in total have been reported in the eastern Anhui province. These numbers would now be regarded as minor in most other nations, however, in Anhui more than 1 million people in small towns are under lockdown.

Four new illnesses were recorded in Beijing, down from six.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-us-researchers-develop-inhalable-vaccine-stable-at-room-temperature-494947">COVID-19: US researchers develop inhalable vaccine stable at room temperature</a>

Chinese social media users were quick to point out that this vaccine mandate contradicts national health authorities' guidance that vaccination should be voluntary.&nbsp;

"When did voluntary vaccination become mandatory?" asked a user on Weibo, China's Twitter-like platform.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Beijing, on Wednesday, mandated COVID vaccinations for most people to enter crowded venues like libraries, cinemas, and gyms. This came as authorities in several Chinese cities raced to contain new outbreaks of a highly contagious sub-variant of Omicron, that have reignited concerns in China.

Beijing, on Wednesday, mandated COVID vaccinations for most people to enter crowded venues like libraries, cinemas, and gyms. This came as authorities in several Chinese cities raced to contain new outbreaks of a highly contagious sub-variant of Omicron, that have reignited concerns in China. Bejing became the first city on the Chinese mainland to enforce a vaccine mandate, as it attempts to contain a highly contagious Omicron subvariant. Starting July 11, people will have to present proof of vaccination. However, individuals that have been deemed unsuitable for vaccination have been exempted. However, as per Erie News Now, authorities haven't mentioned how these citizens would go about proving their exemption. Watch | Beijing rolls out China's first-ever COVID-19 vaccine mandate to control the outbreak According to SABC News, Beijing has yet to provide specifics regarding the new requirement, including whether it will only call for an initial dose, a complete vaccination, or even a booster dose, and whether it will accept foreign vaccines like those made by Pfizer and Moderna that are still not authorised in China. In total, mainland China reported 338 new local COVID cases for Wednesday—down from 353—and no new deaths. Also read | Covid cases through karaoke? China tackles cluster in Shanghai among other outbreaks The majority of cases, 167 in total have been reported in the eastern Anhui province. These numbers would now be regarded as minor in most other nations, however, in Anhui more than 1 million people in small towns are under lockdown. Four new illnesses were recorded in Beijing, down from six. Also read | COVID-19: US researchers develop inhalable vaccine stable at room temperature Chinese social media users were quick to point out that this vaccine mandate contradicts national health authorities' guidance that vaccination should be voluntary. "When did voluntary vaccination become mandatory?" asked a user on Weibo, China's Twitter-like platform. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

When 'voluntary' vaccination becomes mandatory: Beijing issues vaccine mandate amid rise in Covid cases

Most children in Beijing will not return to school next week as originally planned, Chinese officials said on Saturday, after an emerging COVID-19 outbreak prompted authorities to partly reverse a decision to resume in-person teaching.

China is the last major economy still committed to a zero-Covid strategy, stamping out new cases with a combination of targeted lockdowns, mass testing and lengthy quarantines.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/shanghai-kicks-off-new-round-of-mass-covid-testing-beijing-cases-jump-487185">Shanghai kicks off new round of mass Covid testing, Beijing cases jump</a>

But virus clusters in recent months have put that approach under strain. The megacity of Shanghai was forced into a gruelling months-long lockdown and in the capital Beijing, schools were shuttered and residents were ordered to work from home.&nbsp;

Authorities in Beijing eased many curbs earlier this week, but dozens of infections linked to a bar have led authorities to tighten some restrictions again.

Most primary and middle school students will "continue to study online at home" from Monday, city government spokesperson Xu Hejian said at a press briefing on Saturday.

Watch |&nbsp;COVID woes worsen in China: World Bank cuts COVID growth forecast

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The announcement partly walked back a previous decision to send younger pupils back to school in phases, starting next week.

Some 115 cases have been linked to the bar cluster so far, municipal health official Liu Xiaofeng said at the briefing.

The new outbreak was "at a rapidly developing stage ... and at a relatively high risk of spreading", Liu said.

More than 20 million people in Shanghai began a mass testing drive on Saturday that local governments said would take place under temporary lockdown conditions.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/covid-restrictions-return-to-shanghai-xi-jinping-says-persistence-is-victory-486990">Covid restrictions return to Shanghai, Xi Jinping says ‘persistence is victory’</a>

The move comes less than two weeks after the eastern economic hub lurched out of a harsh lockdown that was punctuated by food shortages and isolated protests from irate residents.

Officials have maintained a shifting patchwork of restrictions in Shanghai, wary of a virus resurgence after finally containing the country's worst outbreak in two years.

China recorded 138 domestic infections on Saturday, including 61 in Beijing and 16 in Shanghai, according to the National Health Commission.

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Most children in Beijing will not return to school next week as originally planned, Chinese officials said on Saturday, after an emerging COVID-19 outbreak prompted authorities to partly reverse a decision to resume in-person teaching.

Most children in Beijing will not return to school next week as originally planned, Chinese officials said on Saturday, after an emerging COVID-19 outbreak prompted authorities to partly reverse a decision to resume in-person teaching. China is the last major economy still committed to a zero-Covid strategy, stamping out new cases with a combination of targeted lockdowns, mass testing and lengthy quarantines. Also read | Shanghai kicks off new round of mass Covid testing, Beijing cases jump But virus clusters in recent months have put that approach under strain. The megacity of Shanghai was forced into a gruelling months-long lockdown and in the capital Beijing, schools were shuttered and residents were ordered to work from home. Authorities in Beijing eased many curbs earlier this week, but dozens of infections linked to a bar have led authorities to tighten some restrictions again. Most primary and middle school students will "continue to study online at home" from Monday, city government spokesperson Xu Hejian said at a press briefing on Saturday. Watch | COVID woes worsen in China: World Bank cuts COVID growth forecast The announcement partly walked back a previous decision to send younger pupils back to school in phases, starting next week. Some 115 cases have been linked to the bar cluster so far, municipal health official Liu Xiaofeng said at the briefing. The new outbreak was "at a rapidly developing stage ... and at a relatively high risk of spreading", Liu said. More than 20 million people in Shanghai began a mass testing drive on Saturday that local governments said would take place under temporary lockdown conditions. Also read | Covid restrictions return to Shanghai, Xi Jinping says ‘persistence is victory’ The move comes less than two weeks after the eastern economic hub lurched out of a harsh lockdown that was punctuated by food shortages and isolated protests from irate residents. Officials have maintained a shifting patchwork of restrictions in Shanghai, wary of a virus resurgence after finally containing the country's worst outbreak in two years. China recorded 138 domestic infections on Saturday, including 61 in Beijing and 16 in Shanghai, according to the National Health Commission. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Beijing delays school reopenings after new Covid outbreak

A pregnant Chinese woman who miscarried after being denied access to medical treatment due to the COVID-19 lockdown has reignited debate over the limits of China's zero-tolerance approach.

China, where the coronavirus was discovered in 2019, is among the last places still adhering to "Zero Covid", putting millions of people in quarantine even as it prepares to host next month's Winter Olympics.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-zero-covid-policy-will-not-work-says-scientist-who-warned-of-omicron-440021">China's zero-Covid policy will not work, says scientist who warned of Omicron</a>

Let's take a look at the 'Zero Covid' policy and its ramifications.

What is 'Zero Covid'?

The Chinese government reports that through this policy it has managed to contain more than 30 outbreaks of COVID-19, including some that were caused by the more contagious delta variant. There are strict measures in place to keep the infection from spreading, including mass testing, lockdowns, and extensive quarantines.

How is China maintaining 'Zero Covid'?

To curb outbreaks, China uses "dynamic zero" formula: tight lockdowns and immediate mass testing.

In contrast to other places where lockdowns are softer, people in China may be forbidden from leaving their buildings or confined to their rooms if they are deemed high-risk contacts.

The city of Xi'an, home of the famed Terracotta Warriors, was shut down in December after 150 cases were reported, forcing its 13 million residents indoors.

One incident that can be called extreme occurred in the similar-sized city of Zhengzhou where all residents were tested after just 11 cases.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/xian-lockdown-chinese-city-reports-community-transmission-hemorrhagic-fever-439629">&nbsp;Xi'an lockdown: Chinese city reports community transmission, hemorrhagic fever</a>

In a recent incident, the Chinese authorities have locked down several supermarkets after coronavirus traces were found in fruits imported from&nbsp;Vietnam. According to reports, at least nine cities in Zhejiang and Jiangxi provinces have found coronavirus samples in&nbsp;dragon fruit&nbsp;imported from Vietnam.

International flights are a fraction of their pre-pandemic levels, and arrivals are subject to strict quarantine for weeks.

As a result of mandatory track-and-trace applications, close contacts are usually discovered and quarantined quickly.

Does the strategy work?&nbsp;

Just over 100,000 cases have been logged in China since the pandemic began, a fraction of the one million cases logged by the US in one day earlier this month.

Officially, fewer than 5,000 people have died.

While it is widely believed that the initial outbreak in Wuhan in early 2020 was under-reported, life has largely returned to normal since then.

"There is still no ability to stop single local cases from appearing, but we have the ability and confidence to quickly extinguish the outbreak when a local case is found," Liang Wannian an official with the National Health Commission told reporters last month.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-shuts-supermarkets-after-virus-traces-found-in-dragon-fruit-from-vietnam-442545">China shuts supermarkets after virus traces found in dragon fruit from Vietnam</a>

What is the cost of 'Zero Covid' and who pays it?&nbsp;

Yes, "Zero Covid" comes at a price. There have been almost constant lockdowns near Myanmar's border, and businesses have been forced to flee from these areas.

Communities that have been locked down have complained of inadequate food supplies, medical care, and supplies.

In the meantime, onerous travel rules and restrictions have left migrants separated from their families for months.

In many cases, enforcement has been heavy-handed. One incident that had sparked outrage, had quarantine staff beat a Corgi to death after its owners were quarantined.

Even though China is the only major economy to grow in 2020, repeated factory and business closures are contributing to the country's slowdown.

Is China ever going to reopen?

Ben Cowling, an epidemiologist at Hong Kong University, says that "China certainly has shown it is feasible to continue the zero Covid strategy almost indefinitely."&nbsp;

March 2020 marked the country's effective cut-off from the world. Foreigners have practically been forbidden entry.&nbsp;

Although restrictions on travel have eased slightly since then,&nbsp;international tourism remains non-existent. The government has said it will not renew Chinese passports until a valid reason for travelling has been provided.

The country is unlikely to reopen until after the upcoming Winter Olympics and Paralympics in Beijing, with the government desperately guarding the capital and tightening restrictions ahead of the Games.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Covid-19 in fruit? China shuts supermarkets

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What about the Chinese who don't agree with this strategy?

There has been a nationalistic backlash against those who question "zero Covid."

Zhang Wenhong, a noted Chinese medical expert, opined in July that countries must "learn to coexist with the virus", which prompted online attacks from trolls.

In the event that China opens up, what will happen?&nbsp;

There are conflicting opinions.

Researchers at Peking University say China is at risk of suffering a "colossal outbreak" if restrictions are relaxed to the same level as in Europe and the US.

Meanwhile, Ivan Hung, a Hong Kong University infectious diseases expert, said second-generation vaccines targeting the Delta and Omicron variants, combined with high vaccination rates, could prevent a disaster.

Hung predicts that Covid will be similar to influenza in this scenario.

However, allowing the virus in could be risky for Xi Jinping, who is vying for a third term in October after he billed himself as a leader who would keep China safe.

"When it does come, the transition may not be easy because Chinese society has gotten quite used to a low level of transmission," says Thomas Hale of the University of Oxford.&nbsp;

A pregnant Chinese woman who miscarried after being denied access to medical treatment due to the COVID-19 lockdown has reignited debate over the limits of China's zero-tolerance approach.

A pregnant Chinese woman who miscarried after being denied access to medical treatment due to the COVID-19 lockdown has reignited debate over the limits of China's zero-tolerance approach. China, where the coronavirus was discovered in 2019, is among the last places still adhering to "Zero Covid", putting millions of people in quarantine even as it prepares to host next month's Winter Olympics. Also read | China's zero-Covid policy will not work, says scientist who warned of Omicron Let's take a look at the 'Zero Covid' policy and its ramifications. What is 'Zero Covid'? The Chinese government reports that through this policy it has managed to contain more than 30 outbreaks of COVID-19, including some that were caused by the more contagious delta variant. There are strict measures in place to keep the infection from spreading, including mass testing, lockdowns, and extensive quarantines. How is China maintaining 'Zero Covid'? To curb outbreaks, China uses "dynamic zero" formula: tight lockdowns and immediate mass testing. In contrast to other places where lockdowns are softer, people in China may be forbidden from leaving their buildings or confined to their rooms if they are deemed high-risk contacts. The city of Xi'an, home of the famed Terracotta Warriors, was shut down in December after 150 cases were reported, forcing its 13 million residents indoors. One incident that can be called extreme occurred in the similar-sized city of Zhengzhou where all residents were tested after just 11 cases. Also read | Xi'an lockdown: Chinese city reports community transmission, hemorrhagic fever In a recent incident, the Chinese authorities have locked down several supermarkets after coronavirus traces were found in fruits imported from Vietnam. According to reports, at least nine cities in Zhejiang and Jiangxi provinces have found coronavirus samples in dragon fruit imported from Vietnam. International flights are a fraction of their pre-pandemic levels, and arrivals are subject to strict quarantine for weeks. As a result of mandatory track-and-trace applications, close contacts are usually discovered and quarantined quickly. Does the strategy work? Just over 100,000 cases have been logged in China since the pandemic began, a fraction of the one million cases logged by the US in one day earlier this month. Officially, fewer than 5,000 people have died. While it is widely believed that the initial outbreak in Wuhan in early 2020 was under-reported, life has largely returned to normal since then. "There is still no ability to stop single local cases from appearing, but we have the ability and confidence to quickly extinguish the outbreak when a local case is found," Liang Wannian an official with the National Health Commission told reporters last month. Also read | China shuts supermarkets after virus traces found in dragon fruit from Vietnam What is the cost of 'Zero Covid' and who pays it? Yes, "Zero Covid" comes at a price. There have been almost constant lockdowns near Myanmar's border, and businesses have been forced to flee from these areas. Communities that have been locked down have complained of inadequate food supplies, medical care, and supplies. In the meantime, onerous travel rules and restrictions have left migrants separated from their families for months. In many cases, enforcement has been heavy-handed. One incident that had sparked outrage, had quarantine staff beat a Corgi to death after its owners were quarantined. Even though China is the only major economy to grow in 2020, repeated factory and business closures are contributing to the country's slowdown. Is China ever going to reopen? Ben Cowling, an epidemiologist at Hong Kong University, says that "China certainly has shown it is feasible to continue the zero Covid strategy almost indefinitely." March 2020 marked the country's effective cut-off from the world. Foreigners have practically been forbidden entry. Although restrictions on travel have eased slightly since then, international tourism remains non-existent. The government has said it will not renew Chinese passports until a valid reason for travelling has been provided. The country is unlikely to reopen until after the upcoming Winter Olympics and Paralympics in Beijing, with the government desperately guarding the capital and tightening restrictions ahead of the Games. Watch | Gravitas: Covid-19 in fruit? China shuts supermarkets What about the Chinese who don't agree with this strategy? There has been a nationalistic backlash against those who question "zero Covid." Zhang Wenhong, a noted Chinese medical expert, opined in July that countries must "learn to coexist with the virus", which prompted online attacks from trolls. In the event that China opens up, what will happen? There are conflicting opinions. Researchers at Peking University say China is at risk of suffering a "colossal outbreak" if restrictions are relaxed to the same level as in Europe and the US. Meanwhile, Ivan Hung, a Hong Kong University infectious diseases expert, said second-generation vaccines targeting the Delta and Omicron variants, combined with high vaccination rates, could prevent a disaster. Hung predicts that Covid will be similar to influenza in this scenario. However, allowing the virus in could be risky for Xi Jinping, who is vying for a third term in October after he billed himself as a leader who would keep China safe. "When it does come, the transition may not be easy because Chinese society has gotten quite used to a low level of transmission," says Thomas Hale of the University of Oxford.

Explainer: China's 'zero covid' strategy; what it is, how it functions and does it work?

China, which is reeling under its biggest ever coronavirus outbreak is now preparing for future flare-ups of the virus.

As per a report by Reuters, the country is setting up thousands of permanent PCR testing stations.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-virus-1000-times-likely-to-spread-through-air-than-surfaces-study-finds-476860" hreflang="en">COVID-19 virus 1000 times likely to spread through air than surfaces, study finds</a>

This is being done in a bid to avert future flare-ups. It would make regular Covid testing a part of everyday life.

As per the report, 9,000 permanent centres have already been set up in Shanghai of which 5,000 are operating at the moment.

These testing stations are located at a variety of places, including train &amp; subway station entrances, residential areas, office blocks etc. They provide people access to a test that takes only 15 minutes.

Watch |&nbsp;Beijing imposes stringent curbs amid rapid rise in COVID-19 cases

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China has reaffirmed its zero-COVID rhetoric, claiming that the approach is the most cost-effective and humanitarian way to combat the pandemic.

Due to China's dynamic Zero-Covid strategy, the country's citizens have already faced a slew of frequent tests.

Under the new system, residents would have to show a negative PCR test to enter public places.

Analysts at foreign banks have given a divided view on the benefits of the plan.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-chinese-nurse-kicks-elderly-patient-at-a-hospital-video-causes-fury-476773" hreflang="en">Watch | Chinese nurse kicks elderly patient at a hospital, video causes fury</a>

Nomura, the Japanese financial holding company says that the benefits will be minimal. They estimate that depending on how far the mandate is expanded, the tests can cost anywhere from 0.9 to 2.3 per cent of the country's GDP.

As per the group, "much of this spending will likely crowd out fiscal spending on other key areas."

However, regular testing, according to Goldman Sachs, might provide a way out for China by maintaining "zero-COVID" while decreasing the economic burden, with testing expenses being a fraction of the country's GDP.

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(With inputs from agencies)

China, which is reeling under its biggest ever coronavirus outbreak is now preparing for future flare-ups of the virus. As per a report by Reuters, the country is setting up thousands of permanent PCR testing stations.

China, which is reeling under its biggest ever coronavirus outbreak is now preparing for future flare-ups of the virus. As per a report by Reuters, the country is setting up thousands of permanent PCR testing stations. Also read | COVID-19 virus 1000 times likely to spread through air than surfaces, study finds This is being done in a bid to avert future flare-ups. It would make regular Covid testing a part of everyday life. As per the report, 9,000 permanent centres have already been set up in Shanghai of which 5,000 are operating at the moment. These testing stations are located at a variety of places, including train & subway station entrances, residential areas, office blocks etc. They provide people access to a test that takes only 15 minutes. Watch | Beijing imposes stringent curbs amid rapid rise in COVID-19 cases China has reaffirmed its zero-COVID rhetoric, claiming that the approach is the most cost-effective and humanitarian way to combat the pandemic. Due to China's dynamic Zero-Covid strategy, the country's citizens have already faced a slew of frequent tests. Under the new system, residents would have to show a negative PCR test to enter public places. Analysts at foreign banks have given a divided view on the benefits of the plan. Also read | Watch | Chinese nurse kicks elderly patient at a hospital, video causes fury Nomura, the Japanese financial holding company says that the benefits will be minimal. They estimate that depending on how far the mandate is expanded, the tests can cost anywhere from 0.9 to 2.3 per cent of the country's GDP. As per the group, "much of this spending will likely crowd out fiscal spending on other key areas." However, regular testing, according to Goldman Sachs, might provide a way out for China by maintaining "zero-COVID" while decreasing the economic burden, with testing expenses being a fraction of the country's GDP. Watch WION LIVE HERE: (With inputs from agencies)

China makes Covid PCR tests a part of everyday life, opens permanent testing centres

As Shanghai struggles to control a Covid spike, worried citizens are now swamping online grocery platforms to stock up on food over fears of impending lockdowns.

Authorities in Shanghai have called for calm.&nbsp;

China is struggling with the worst <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a> outbreak since the outbreak began two years ago, as the highly transmissible Omicron variant continues to frustrate authorities.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/europes-brutal-lifting-of-covid-precautions-behind-the-rise-in-cases-who-464858" hreflang="en">Europe's 'brutal' lifting of covid precautions behind the rise in cases: WHO</a>

A total of 981 cases were reported in China's largest city on Wednesday, all but four being asymptomatic. This represents nearly one-fifth of the nation's daily tally.

To minimize disruption, the city of Shanghai's response to the outbreak has been to lock down areas with confirmed cases or close contacts rather than enact a citywide lockdown.

However, as the number of reported cases has risen, so has public anxiety; residents have taken to social media to express concerns of further lockdowns in the roughly 25 million-person city.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-continues-to-break-covid-case-record-officials-face-the-brunt-for-laxity-464579" hreflang="en">China continues to break Covid case record, officials face the brunt for 'laxity'</a>

The public has voiced concerns over unclear government messaging and images of expanding test sites, as well as the announcement this week that some indoor arenas have been turned into mass-quarantine sites.

"We hope that everyone will not believe or spread rumours, and especially do not maliciously spread rumours that cause panic in society," Wu Jinglei, head of Shanghai's health commission said at a daily briefing.

Watch |&nbsp;This could happen if China doesn’t control its worst Covid-19 outbreak

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Those spreading rumours would "bear legal responsibility," he added.

"Everyone is working hard to keep the city safe."

Schools in Shanghai have been closed for nearly two weeks, but the city has avoided the kind of city-wide lockdowns imposed in some northeastern cities.

Despite this, its normally busy streets are muted as&nbsp;citizens live every day with the risk of suddenly being confined for anything between two and fourteen days at home.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

As Shanghai struggles to control a Covid spike, worried citizens are now swamping online grocery platforms to stock up on food over fears of impending lockdowns.

As Shanghai struggles to control a Covid spike, worried citizens are now swamping online grocery platforms to stock up on food over fears of impending lockdowns. Authorities in Shanghai have called for calm. China is struggling with the worst COVID-19 outbreak since the outbreak began two years ago, as the highly transmissible Omicron variant continues to frustrate authorities. Also read | Europe's 'brutal' lifting of covid precautions behind the rise in cases: WHO A total of 981 cases were reported in China's largest city on Wednesday, all but four being asymptomatic. This represents nearly one-fifth of the nation's daily tally. To minimize disruption, the city of Shanghai's response to the outbreak has been to lock down areas with confirmed cases or close contacts rather than enact a citywide lockdown. However, as the number of reported cases has risen, so has public anxiety; residents have taken to social media to express concerns of further lockdowns in the roughly 25 million-person city. Also read | China continues to break Covid case record, officials face the brunt for 'laxity' The public has voiced concerns over unclear government messaging and images of expanding test sites, as well as the announcement this week that some indoor arenas have been turned into mass-quarantine sites. "We hope that everyone will not believe or spread rumours, and especially do not maliciously spread rumours that cause panic in society," Wu Jinglei, head of Shanghai's health commission said at a daily briefing. Watch | This could happen if China doesn’t control its worst Covid-19 outbreak Those spreading rumours would "bear legal responsibility," he added. "Everyone is working hard to keep the city safe." Schools in Shanghai have been closed for nearly two weeks, but the city has avoided the kind of city-wide lockdowns imposed in some northeastern cities. Despite this, its normally busy streets are muted as citizens live every day with the risk of suddenly being confined for anything between two and fourteen days at home. (With inputs from agencies)

Shanghai residents panic, sleep in office as lockdown threats loom amid China's biggest COVID-19 outbreak

Two mayors have been dismissed in northeastern China, and Shanghai has closed its school system and shifted to online instruction, as a coronavirus outbreak in mainland China gathers speed.

China’s National Health Commission announced on Saturday that another 1,524 locally transmitted coronavirus cases had been detected in provinces across mainland China. That was up from 1,100 cases reported a day earlier, and a couple hundred cases per day a week ago.

Though China suffered heavy loss of life when COVID-19 first emerged in the city of Wuhan more than two years ago, it has had much more success than any other large country in controlling the virus since then. The surge in cases in the last few days, fueled by the omicron variant, still leaves China far below the daily infection count of about 35,000 in the United States, which has less than a quarter of China’s population.

The current spike in cases still poses a significant challenge for China. After adopting a zero-tolerance strategy toward the virus for most of the past two years, China has shifted in recent months to a “dynamic zero” strategy. Under the new strategy, national leaders have tolerated the occasional emergence of a handful of cases in a city, provided that city leaders then quickly stamp out all further cases.

Now the omicron variant is proving so infectious that local leaders no longer seem able to stamp out each outbreak. The cases reported on Saturday were scattered across 20 of China’s 31 provinces.

The mayors of Jilin City and the Jiutai district of the city of Changchun have both been dismissed, the state-run Xinhua news agency announced on Saturday, without specifying exactly when the dismissals had happened. Both places have had rapidly expanding outbreaks.

Jilin City has an urban population of 1.8 million, while the mostly rural Jiutai district had 826,000 people in 2014, the last year for which the National Bureau of Statistics has released its population data.

Changchun, which has 9 million people, was placed under partial lockdown on Friday, with each household only allowed to send out a member every other day to buy supplies. Jilin City, with over 1,000 cases in the past 10 days, has had a sustained outbreak at a local agricultural university.

China’s system for detecting and tracing infections has relied heavily on mandatory testing for anyone with a fever. Temperature checks are common at entrances to shopping malls and office complexes. Furthermore, people who try to buy fever-relieving medicine are tested for the coronavirus.

But two-thirds of the cases reported nationwide on Saturday involved people with no symptoms, possibly because China has a nearly 90% vaccination rate. Infected yet asymptomatic people can spread the virus to others, but finding these people is hard, Chinese officials have said.

Two mayors have been dismissed in northeastern China, and Shanghai has closed its school system and shifted to online instruction, as a coronavirus outbreak in mainland China gathers speed.

Two mayors have been dismissed in northeastern China, and Shanghai has closed its school system and shifted to online instruction, as a coronavirus outbreak in mainland China gathers speed. China’s National Health Commission announced on Saturday that another 1,524 locally transmitted coronavirus cases had been detected in provinces across mainland China. That was up from 1,100 cases reported a day earlier, and a couple hundred cases per day a week ago. Though China suffered heavy loss of life when COVID-19 first emerged in the city of Wuhan more than two years ago, it has had much more success than any other large country in controlling the virus since then. The surge in cases in the last few days, fueled by the omicron variant, still leaves China far below the daily infection count of about 35,000 in the United States, which has less than a quarter of China’s population. The current spike in cases still poses a significant challenge for China. After adopting a zero-tolerance strategy toward the virus for most of the past two years, China has shifted in recent months to a “dynamic zero” strategy. Under the new strategy, national leaders have tolerated the occasional emergence of a handful of cases in a city, provided that city leaders then quickly stamp out all further cases. Now the omicron variant is proving so infectious that local leaders no longer seem able to stamp out each outbreak. The cases reported on Saturday were scattered across 20 of China’s 31 provinces. The mayors of Jilin City and the Jiutai district of the city of Changchun have both been dismissed, the state-run Xinhua news agency announced on Saturday, without specifying exactly when the dismissals had happened. Both places have had rapidly expanding outbreaks. Jilin City has an urban population of 1.8 million, while the mostly rural Jiutai district had 826,000 people in 2014, the last year for which the National Bureau of Statistics has released its population data. Changchun, which has 9 million people, was placed under partial lockdown on Friday, with each household only allowed to send out a member every other day to buy supplies. Jilin City, with over 1,000 cases in the past 10 days, has had a sustained outbreak at a local agricultural university. China’s system for detecting and tracing infections has relied heavily on mandatory testing for anyone with a fever. Temperature checks are common at entrances to shopping malls and office complexes. Furthermore, people who try to buy fever-relieving medicine are tested for the coronavirus. But two-thirds of the cases reported nationwide on Saturday involved people with no symptoms, possibly because China has a nearly 90% vaccination rate. Infected yet asymptomatic people can spread the virus to others, but finding these people is hard, Chinese officials have said.

China fires mayors and closes schools as an outbreak spreads

China detected its highest single-day rise of Covid cases in 21 months with 206 new infections, including 158 locally transmitted ones, the country’s health commission said on Sunday.

Of the new local cases of coronavirus, 157 were reported in Shaanxi and one in Guangxi provinces, besides 48 imported cases, the National Health Commission (NHC) said.

This comes a day after China’s Xi’an city in Shaanx province recorded 250 cases, after which the officials put the city of 13 million residents under a draconian lockdown.

The sudden spike in infection has alarmed officials who are scrambling to make sure that the Winter Olympics begins as per the schedule in February in Beijing.

The Chinese officials claimed that&nbsp;none of the infections were caused by the Omicron variant, although a handful of Omicron infections among international travellers and in southern China have been reported.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-xian-starts-testing-for-millions-as-covid-cases-surge-438639">China's Xi'an starts testing for millions as Covid cases surge</a>

The health officials had also reported an outbreak of Delta strain sub-lineage AY.4 in Zhejiang province in the middle of the month, which was reportedly brought under control.

There were 2,011 active cases in China as of Saturday, with nine in critical condition, the commission said.

Also read |&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-puts-millions-under-lockdown-after-virus-outbreak-in-xian-city-439025">China puts millions under lockdown after virus outbreak in Xi'an city</a>

No new deaths were reported, leaving the cumulative death toll at 4,636. Mainland China had 101,077 confirmed cases as of December&nbsp;25.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: China's 'Zero Covid' Strategy is failing

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-chinas-zero-covid-strategy-is-failing-439756/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Following a spurt in cases in Xi’an city, dozens of Communist officials were punished for failing to stop the outbreak.&nbsp;

China's disciplinary body announced the punishments of the officials on Friday,&nbsp;the latest state reprimands under Beijing's strict zero-Covid approach.

(With inputs from agencies)

China detected its highest single-day rise of Covid cases in 21 months with 206 new infections, including 158 locally transmitted ones, the country’s health commission said on Sunday.

China detected its highest single-day rise of Covid cases in 21 months with 206 new infections, including 158 locally transmitted ones, the country’s health commission said on Sunday. Of the new local cases of coronavirus, 157 were reported in Shaanxi and one in Guangxi provinces, besides 48 imported cases, the National Health Commission (NHC) said. This comes a day after China’s Xi’an city in Shaanx province recorded 250 cases, after which the officials put the city of 13 million residents under a draconian lockdown. The sudden spike in infection has alarmed officials who are scrambling to make sure that the Winter Olympics begins as per the schedule in February in Beijing. The Chinese officials claimed that none of the infections were caused by the Omicron variant, although a handful of Omicron infections among international travellers and in southern China have been reported. Also read | China's Xi'an starts testing for millions as Covid cases surge The health officials had also reported an outbreak of Delta strain sub-lineage AY.4 in Zhejiang province in the middle of the month, which was reportedly brought under control. There were 2,011 active cases in China as of Saturday, with nine in critical condition, the commission said. Also read | China puts millions under lockdown after virus outbreak in Xi'an city No new deaths were reported, leaving the cumulative death toll at 4,636. Mainland China had 101,077 confirmed cases as of December 25. Watch | Gravitas: China's 'Zero Covid' Strategy is failing Following a spurt in cases in Xi’an city, dozens of Communist officials were punished for failing to stop the outbreak. China's disciplinary body announced the punishments of the officials on Friday, the latest state reprimands under Beijing's strict zero-Covid approach. (With inputs from agencies)

China reports 206 new COVID-19 infections, highest in 21 months

Now that COVID-19 is back in China, the country has been taking extreme measures to stop the rampant spread of the virus. This comes at a time when China will host its biggest annual online shopping festival.&nbsp;

In a recent strange COVID outbreak, a Chinese cloth factory that caters to children has been found at the helm. This news comes from northeastern Hebei province where authorities are calling it a "Covid-related mail chain."&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/beijing-closes-down-mall-several-housing-compounds-amid-fresh-covid-flare-up-428531" hreflang="en">Beijing closes down mall, several housing compounds amid fresh Covid flare-up</a>

Authorities more than 1,200 miles away ordered people who had received or even just handled packages from the company to get tested. They have tested 300 packages of clothing from the cloth maker and have halted parcel-delivery services from it in two cities, Xinji and Jinzhou as well as the town of Shenze, the provincial government said in a statement.&nbsp;

All the tests came back negative.&nbsp;

<h2><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/massive-syringe-shortage-can-hit-world-in-2022-warns-who-report-428480" hreflang="en">Massive syringe shortage can hit world in 2022, warns WHO report</a></h2>

Taking a step further, China has been inspecting goods such as imported frozen food for the virus, despite international health bodies downplaying the risk of transmission on packaging and other surfaces. Chinese authorities said parcels from overseas or high-risk domestic locations should be sanitised. Even when receiving goods from areas deemed of low Covid risk, recipients are encouraged to wear masks and gloves when picking up and unpacking deliveries.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/risk-of-death-from-covid-48-times-higher-for-unvaccinated-people-study-428204" hreflang="en">Risk of death from Covid 48 times higher for unvaccinated people: Study</a>

Now that COVID-19 is back in China, the country has been taking extreme measures to stop the rampant spread of the virus. This comes at a time when China will host its biggest annual online shopping festival.

Now that COVID-19 is back in China, the country has been taking extreme measures to stop the rampant spread of the virus. This comes at a time when China will host its biggest annual online shopping festival. In a recent strange COVID outbreak, a Chinese cloth factory that caters to children has been found at the helm. This news comes from northeastern Hebei province where authorities are calling it a "Covid-related mail chain." Beijing closes down mall, several housing compounds amid fresh Covid flare-up Authorities more than 1,200 miles away ordered people who had received or even just handled packages from the company to get tested. They have tested 300 packages of clothing from the cloth maker and have halted parcel-delivery services from it in two cities, Xinji and Jinzhou as well as the town of Shenze, the provincial government said in a statement. All the tests came back negative. Massive syringe shortage can hit world in 2022, warns WHO report Taking a step further, China has been inspecting goods such as imported frozen food for the virus, despite international health bodies downplaying the risk of transmission on packaging and other surfaces. Chinese authorities said parcels from overseas or high-risk domestic locations should be sanitised. Even when receiving goods from areas deemed of low Covid risk, recipients are encouraged to wear masks and gloves when picking up and unpacking deliveries. Risk of death from Covid 48 times higher for unvaccinated people: Study

China puts restrictions on kids' clothing company after alleged COVID risk

Authorities in Beijing closed a mall and locked down several residential compounds after a spurt of Covid cases were reported from Chinese capital’s central districts.

Six new cases were found in Beijing's central districts of Chaoyang and Haidian on Thursday morning, local media reported.

According to reports, the six cases were close contacts of people infected recently in northeastern Jilin province.

Raffles City mall in Dongcheng in the capital was sealed off on Wednesday evening after a close contact of a person infected with COVID-19 was found to have visited the mall, the Beijing Youth Daily reported.

Videos shared on social media platform Weibo showed crowds of shoppers in masks, lining up to be tested inside the shopping centre.

The Chinese authorities have been pursuing a zero-Covid policy, aiming to suppress cases whenever they arise with tough measures including limitations on movement. Notably, Beijing will also host the Winter Olympics&nbsp;in February.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-covid-19-outbreak-in-china-authorities-shut-down-lanzhou-city-of-4-million-people-424081">New COVID-19 outbreak in China: Authorities shut down Lanzhou, city of 4 million people</a>

The latest spike occurred amid high-level meeting of top Communist Party leaders in Beijing.

Beijing health officials said at a briefing that over 280 close contacts have been identified, with almost 12,000 people screened for the virus in both Chaoyang and Haidian districts.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/just-ahead-of-communist-party-conclave-chinas-covid-cases-hit-three-month-high-426394">Just ahead of Communist Party conclave, China's Covid cases hit three-month high</a>

“This cluster outbreak was sudden with many places covering a large area. It involves many people, and prevention and control is very difficult,” said city government spokesman Xu Hejian.

“Today is a crucial day... and it is necessary to trace the source of the outbreak as soon as possible.”

Five residential communities, a primary school and two office compounds were placed under snap lockdowns early on Thursday, with tens of thousands of residents barred from leaving and made to undergo mass testing.

As of November 10, mainland China had reported 98,001 COVID-19 cases with confirmed symptoms, including locally transmitted cases and those who arrived from abroad, and 4,636 deaths in total.

(With inputs from agencies)

Authorities in Beijing closed a mall and locked down several residential compounds after a spurt of Covid cases were reported from Chinese capital’s central districts.

Authorities in Beijing closed a mall and locked down several residential compounds after a spurt of Covid cases were reported from Chinese capital’s central districts. Six new cases were found in Beijing's central districts of Chaoyang and Haidian on Thursday morning, local media reported. According to reports, the six cases were close contacts of people infected recently in northeastern Jilin province. Raffles City mall in Dongcheng in the capital was sealed off on Wednesday evening after a close contact of a person infected with COVID-19 was found to have visited the mall, the Beijing Youth Daily reported. Videos shared on social media platform Weibo showed crowds of shoppers in masks, lining up to be tested inside the shopping centre. The Chinese authorities have been pursuing a zero-Covid policy, aiming to suppress cases whenever they arise with tough measures including limitations on movement. Notably, Beijing will also host the Winter Olympics in February. Also read | New COVID-19 outbreak in China: Authorities shut down Lanzhou, city of 4 million people The latest spike occurred amid high-level meeting of top Communist Party leaders in Beijing. Beijing health officials said at a briefing that over 280 close contacts have been identified, with almost 12,000 people screened for the virus in both Chaoyang and Haidian districts. Also read | Just ahead of Communist Party conclave, China's Covid cases hit three-month high “This cluster outbreak was sudden with many places covering a large area. It involves many people, and prevention and control is very difficult,” said city government spokesman Xu Hejian. “Today is a crucial day... and it is necessary to trace the source of the outbreak as soon as possible.” Five residential communities, a primary school and two office compounds were placed under snap lockdowns early on Thursday, with tens of thousands of residents barred from leaving and made to undergo mass testing. As of November 10, mainland China had reported 98,001 COVID-19 cases with confirmed symptoms, including locally transmitted cases and those who arrived from abroad, and 4,636 deaths in total. (With inputs from agencies)

Beijing closes down mall, several housing compounds amid fresh Covid flare-up

A large group of parents in China were left worried when a school announced that they have locked the primary school kids inside to stop spread of Covid.<o:p></o:p>

Dozens of primary school children were locked inside a school building after the authorities found out that a staff member had tested positive for coronavirus.<o:p></o:p>

Parents were anxiously waiting to get updates about why were their children locked up in the school but the authorities conveyed the updates only nearly midnight.<o:p></o:p>

A little around 11:30 in the night, the school principal emerged outside the institution and told parents that some children will be sent to quarantine while others will be allowed to go back home in the usual manner.

<o:p>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-need-of-more-babies-this-chinese-province-is-thinking-of-1-year-paid-maternity-leave-426450">In need of more babies, this Chinese province is thinking of 1-year paid maternity leave</a></o:p>

However, the parents were told that the children will only be released from this lockdown when the results of their Covid tests would come from the facility, which would be the next morning. The principal then asked the parents to bring clothes for their wards to ensure that the children can spend the night in school.<o:p></o:p>

As per local reports by the Falun-gong linked New Tang Dynasty Television, nearly 35 students were eventually taken for quarantine, while others were allowed to go back to their homes.<o:p></o:p>

The school has now been temporarily closed down after all teachers, students and other employees (academic and non-academic) were tested for the deadly coronavirus.<o:p></o:p>

This strict move by the school came at a time when the country is imposing stricter lockdowns and opening mass vaccination sites around the world to ensure that the ongoing surge in coronavirus cases can be controlled.<o:p></o:p>

Several provinces of China are also initiating a temporary stop to public transport and entertainment venues in addition to localised lockdowns, social distancing, compulsory mask wearing.<o:p></o:p>

The Chinese government is hoping to control the Covid surge as the country is gearing up to host Winter Olympics in less than 100 days now.<o:p></o:p>

A large group of parents in China were left worried when a school announced that they have locked the primary school kids inside to stop spread of Covid. Dozens of primary school children were locked inside a school building after the authorities found out that a staff member had tested positive for coronavirus.

A large group of parents in China were left worried when a school announced that they have locked the primary school kids inside to stop spread of Covid. Dozens of primary school children were locked inside a school building after the authorities found out that a staff member had tested positive for coronavirus. Parents were anxiously waiting to get updates about why were their children locked up in the school but the authorities conveyed the updates only nearly midnight. A little around 11:30 in the night, the school principal emerged outside the institution and told parents that some children will be sent to quarantine while others will be allowed to go back home in the usual manner. Also read | In need of more babies, this Chinese province is thinking of 1-year paid maternity leave However, the parents were told that the children will only be released from this lockdown when the results of their Covid tests would come from the facility, which would be the next morning. The principal then asked the parents to bring clothes for their wards to ensure that the children can spend the night in school. As per local reports by the Falun-gong linked New Tang Dynasty Television, nearly 35 students were eventually taken for quarantine, while others were allowed to go back to their homes. The school has now been temporarily closed down after all teachers, students and other employees (academic and non-academic) were tested for the deadly coronavirus. This strict move by the school came at a time when the country is imposing stricter lockdowns and opening mass vaccination sites around the world to ensure that the ongoing surge in coronavirus cases can be controlled. Several provinces of China are also initiating a temporary stop to public transport and entertainment venues in addition to localised lockdowns, social distancing, compulsory mask wearing. The Chinese government is hoping to control the Covid surge as the country is gearing up to host Winter Olympics in less than 100 days now.

Chinese school locks down kids overnight after one Covid case

After celebrating few months of Covid-free enjoyment, China is once again under the threat of another serious outbreak of coronavirus pandemic in the country.<o:p></o:p>

Beijing is now introducing new Covid curbs to stay a step ahead of the incoming surge of Covid cases, a few days before the Winter Olympics.<o:p></o:p>

The capital city of China, Beijing, has established strict zero-tolerance policy as nearly 14 provinces all around the country have been hit with a new infection wave.<o:p></o:p>

Describing the situation as "serious and complex", the authorities have ordered all cinema halls to shut down till November 14, especially near the Tiananmen Square in the capital’s Xicheng district. Nearly six million locals have been put under travel restrictions in cities where cases of coronavirus were detected recently.

<o:p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/china-targets-vegetable-hoarders-as-prices-soar-424646">WATCH |</a></o:p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/china-targets-vegetable-hoarders-as-prices-soar-424646/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

These restrictions have been brought in to make sure that the country is able to control the rise in Covid cases before the Winter Olympics kick off — then event is scheduled to start in less than 100 days.<o:p></o:p>

In addition to restrictions on entertainment venues, one of the biggest train operators has also decided to suspend or at least limit routes in specified affected areas of the country. A lot of outgoing flights from Beijing were also cancelled from Friday onwards. Authorities are urging locals to stay indoors and specifically not leave the city to make sure the infection in contained within the borders, and does not spread to the entire nation.<o:p></o:p>

Capital city’s citizens have also been asked to cancel all upcoming weddings as citizens are being urged to stay indoors and avoid public gatherings at all costs.<o:p></o:p>

Meanwhile, authorities have been conducting mass Covid tests in the country and are urging locals to get vaccinated against the deadly coronavirus as soon as possible to make sure the spread of the virus can be curbed.<o:p></o:p>

After celebrating few months of Covid-free enjoyment, China is once again under the threat of another serious outbreak of coronavirus pandemic in the country. Beijing is now introducing new Covid curbs to stay a step ahead of the incoming surge of Covid cases, a few days before the Winter Olympics.

After celebrating few months of Covid-free enjoyment, China is once again under the threat of another serious outbreak of coronavirus pandemic in the country. Beijing is now introducing new Covid curbs to stay a step ahead of the incoming surge of Covid cases, a few days before the Winter Olympics. The capital city of China, Beijing, has established strict zero-tolerance policy as nearly 14 provinces all around the country have been hit with a new infection wave. Describing the situation as "serious and complex", the authorities have ordered all cinema halls to shut down till November 14, especially near the Tiananmen Square in the capital’s Xicheng district. Nearly six million locals have been put under travel restrictions in cities where cases of coronavirus were detected recently. WATCH | These restrictions have been brought in to make sure that the country is able to control the rise in Covid cases before the Winter Olympics kick off — then event is scheduled to start in less than 100 days. In addition to restrictions on entertainment venues, one of the biggest train operators has also decided to suspend or at least limit routes in specified affected areas of the country. A lot of outgoing flights from Beijing were also cancelled from Friday onwards. Authorities are urging locals to stay indoors and specifically not leave the city to make sure the infection in contained within the borders, and does not spread to the entire nation. Capital city’s citizens have also been asked to cancel all upcoming weddings as citizens are being urged to stay indoors and avoid public gatherings at all costs. Meanwhile, authorities have been conducting mass Covid tests in the country and are urging locals to get vaccinated against the deadly coronavirus as soon as possible to make sure the spread of the virus can be curbed.

China struggles to control fresh Covid outbreak before Winter Olympics

New local COVID-19 infections more than doubled in China`s southeastern province of Fujian, health authorities said on Tuesday, prompting officials to quickly roll out measures including travel restrictions to halt the spread of the virus.

The National Health Commission said 59 new locally transmitted cases were reported for Sept. 13, up from 22 infections a day earlier. All of them were in Fujian, a province bordered by Zhejiang to the north and Guangdong to the south.

In just four days, a total of 102 community infections have been reported in three Fujian cities, including Xiamen, a tourist and transport hub with a population of 5 million.

The infections come ahead of the week-long National Day holiday starting on Oct. 1, a major tourist season. The last domestic outbreak in late July to August disrupted travel, hitting the tourism, hospitality and transportion sectors.

China`s air passenger traffic plunged 51.5% in August from a year earlier, data released on Tuesday showed, highlighting the vulnerability of Chinese airlines to repeated outbreaks even though

COVID-19 is largely under control in the country.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-faces-worst-covid-19-outbreak-since-wuhan-surge-of-delta-variant-in-15-cities-401972">China faces worst COVID-19 outbreak since Wuhan; surge of Delta variant in 15 cities</a>

Fujian`s outbreak began in Putian, a city of 3.2 million, with the first case reported on Sept. 10. Preliminary tests on samples from some Putian cases showed patients had contracted the highly transmissible Delta variant.

The outbreak has since spread south to Xiamen, which reported 32 new cases of community transmission for Sept. 13 compared with just one infection a day earlier.

"The Putian government is a big client of ours," said a staff at a Xiamen building survey firm, declining to be named.

"About half of our company went to Putian last week. They are now isolated at home, while the rest have gone to do their Covid tests."

<h3>Lockdown</h3>

Like Putian, Xiamen has locked down some areas of higher virus risk, cut offline classes at kindergartens, primary schools and high schools, closed public venues such as cinemas, gyms and bars, and told residents not to leave the city for non-essential reasons.

The first patient in the Xiamen cluster was a close contact of a case in Putian, Xiamen authorities said late on Monday.

Known for its mild weather and a laid-back lifestyle, Xiamen is a popular tourist destination domestically.

The Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport is also a key transportation hub linking the Yangtze and Pearl River Delta. About 60% of flights to and from Xiamen were cancelled on Tuesday, according to aviation data provider Variflight.

Both Putian and Xiamen began city-wide testing for the coronavirus on Tuesday. The cities, however, are yet to announce tough city-wide lockdowns as seen in early 2020 in China.

Three new cases of community transmission were also reported in nearby Quanzhou city, versus six infections a day earlier. Variflight data showed 70% of Quanzhou`s flights were cancelled.

"One wave after another," said a bank manager in Xiamen. "It feels like the new normal now."

New local COVID-19 infections more than doubled in China`s southeastern province of Fujian, health authorities said on Tuesday, prompting officials to quickly roll out measures including travel restrictions to halt the spread of the virus.

New local COVID-19 infections more than doubled in China`s southeastern province of Fujian, health authorities said on Tuesday, prompting officials to quickly roll out measures including travel restrictions to halt the spread of the virus. The National Health Commission said 59 new locally transmitted cases were reported for Sept. 13, up from 22 infections a day earlier. All of them were in Fujian, a province bordered by Zhejiang to the north and Guangdong to the south. In just four days, a total of 102 community infections have been reported in three Fujian cities, including Xiamen, a tourist and transport hub with a population of 5 million. The infections come ahead of the week-long National Day holiday starting on Oct. 1, a major tourist season. The last domestic outbreak in late July to August disrupted travel, hitting the tourism, hospitality and transportion sectors. China`s air passenger traffic plunged 51.5% in August from a year earlier, data released on Tuesday showed, highlighting the vulnerability of Chinese airlines to repeated outbreaks even though COVID-19 is largely under control in the country. Also read | China faces worst COVID-19 outbreak since Wuhan; surge of Delta variant in 15 cities Fujian`s outbreak began in Putian, a city of 3.2 million, with the first case reported on Sept. 10. Preliminary tests on samples from some Putian cases showed patients had contracted the highly transmissible Delta variant. The outbreak has since spread south to Xiamen, which reported 32 new cases of community transmission for Sept. 13 compared with just one infection a day earlier. "The Putian government is a big client of ours," said a staff at a Xiamen building survey firm, declining to be named. "About half of our company went to Putian last week. They are now isolated at home, while the rest have gone to do their Covid tests." Lockdown Like Putian, Xiamen has locked down some areas of higher virus risk, cut offline classes at kindergartens, primary schools and high schools, closed public venues such as cinemas, gyms and bars, and told residents not to leave the city for non-essential reasons. The first patient in the Xiamen cluster was a close contact of a case in Putian, Xiamen authorities said late on Monday. Known for its mild weather and a laid-back lifestyle, Xiamen is a popular tourist destination domestically. The Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport is also a key transportation hub linking the Yangtze and Pearl River Delta. About 60% of flights to and from Xiamen were cancelled on Tuesday, according to aviation data provider Variflight. Both Putian and Xiamen began city-wide testing for the coronavirus on Tuesday. The cities, however, are yet to announce tough city-wide lockdowns as seen in early 2020 in China. Three new cases of community transmission were also reported in nearby Quanzhou city, versus six infections a day earlier. Variflight data showed 70% of Quanzhou`s flights were cancelled. "One wave after another," said a bank manager in Xiamen. "It feels like the new normal now."

COVID-19 cases in southeast China more than double as Delta spreads

President Joe Biden said Friday that China was withholding "critical information" on the origins of COVID-19 after the US intelligence community said it did not believe the virus was a bioweapon —&nbsp;but remained split on whether it escaped from a lab.

The United States, however, does not believe Chinese officials had foreknowledge of the virus before the initial outbreak of the pandemic that has now claimed 4.5 million lives, according to the unclassified summary of an eagerly awaited intelligence report.

"Critical information about the origins of this pandemic exists in the People's Republic of China, yet from the beginning, government officials in China have worked to prevent international investigators and members of the global public health community from accessing it," Biden said in a statement.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/two-men-die-after-second-dose-of-modernas-covid-vaccine-japan-government-409002">Two men die after second dose of Moderna's Covid vaccine: Japan government</a>

"To this day, the PRC continues to reject calls for transparency and withhold information, even as the toll of this pandemic continues to rise."

US intelligence has ruled out that the coronavirus was developed as a weapon, and most agencies assess with "low confidence" it was not genetically engineered.

But the community remains divided on the pathogen's origins, with four agencies and the National Intelligence Council judging in favor of natural exposure to an animal as the likely explanation, and one agency favoring the lab leak theory.

Analysts at three agencies were unable to reach a conclusion.

"Variations in analytic views largely stem from differences in how agencies weigh intelligence reporting and scientific publications, and intelligence and scientific gaps," the summary said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/republicans-want-biden-to-pay-a-political-price-for-the-crisis-409027">WATCH |</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/republicans-want-biden-to-pay-a-political-price-for-the-crisis-409027/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The intelligence community and global scientists lack clinical samples or epidemiological data from the earliest COVID-19 cases, it added.

Biden said the United States would continue to work with allies to press Beijing to share more information and cooperate with the World Health Organization.

"We must have a full and transparent accounting of this global tragedy. Nothing less is acceptable," he said.

The office of the director of national intelligence said it was reviewing de-classifying parts of the report in the near future, in light of the historic nature of the pandemic and the importance of informing the public, while protecting its sources and methods.

Lab leak fading

Beijing has rejected calls from the United States and other countries for a renewed origin probe after a heavily politicised visit by a WHO team in January also proved inconclusive, and faced criticism for lacking transparency and access.

In a statement Friday, the Chinese embassy in Washington slammed the US intelligence community's findings, defending its handling of the pandemic and the WHO investigation.

"The report by the US intelligence community shows that the US is bent on going down the wrong path of political manipulation," the embassy said in a statement.&nbsp;

"The report by the intelligence community is based on the presumption of guilt on the part of China, and it is only for scapegoating China."

At the outset of the pandemic, the natural origin hypothesis —&nbsp;that the virus emerged in bats and then passed to humans, likely via an intermediary species — was widely accepted.

But as time wore on and scientists were unable to find a virus in either bats or another animal that matches the genetic signature of SARS-CoV-2, investigators said they were more open to considering a leak involving the Wuhan Institute of Virology, which carried out bat coronavirus research.

Recent scientific papers, however, are tilting the debate back towards a zoonotic origin.

Researchers in China and the University of Glasgow published a paper in the journal Science that found "animal-to-human transmission associated with infected live animals is the most likely cause of the COVID-19 pandemic."

Additionally, a paper by 21 top virologists in the journal Cell bluntly concluded: "There is currently no evidence that SARS-CoV-2 has a laboratory origin."

President Joe Biden said Friday that China was withholding "critical information" on the origins of COVID-19 after the US intelligence community said it did not believe the virus was a bioweapon — but remained split on whether it escaped from a lab.

President Joe Biden said Friday that China was withholding "critical information" on the origins of COVID-19 after the US intelligence community said it did not believe the virus was a bioweapon — but remained split on whether it escaped from a lab. The United States, however, does not believe Chinese officials had foreknowledge of the virus before the initial outbreak of the pandemic that has now claimed 4.5 million lives, according to the unclassified summary of an eagerly awaited intelligence report. "Critical information about the origins of this pandemic exists in the People's Republic of China, yet from the beginning, government officials in China have worked to prevent international investigators and members of the global public health community from accessing it," Biden said in a statement. Also read | Two men die after second dose of Moderna's Covid vaccine: Japan government "To this day, the PRC continues to reject calls for transparency and withhold information, even as the toll of this pandemic continues to rise." US intelligence has ruled out that the coronavirus was developed as a weapon, and most agencies assess with "low confidence" it was not genetically engineered. But the community remains divided on the pathogen's origins, with four agencies and the National Intelligence Council judging in favor of natural exposure to an animal as the likely explanation, and one agency favoring the lab leak theory. Analysts at three agencies were unable to reach a conclusion. "Variations in analytic views largely stem from differences in how agencies weigh intelligence reporting and scientific publications, and intelligence and scientific gaps," the summary said. WATCH | The intelligence community and global scientists lack clinical samples or epidemiological data from the earliest COVID-19 cases, it added. Biden said the United States would continue to work with allies to press Beijing to share more information and cooperate with the World Health Organization. "We must have a full and transparent accounting of this global tragedy. Nothing less is acceptable," he said. The office of the director of national intelligence said it was reviewing de-classifying parts of the report in the near future, in light of the historic nature of the pandemic and the importance of informing the public, while protecting its sources and methods. Lab leak fading Beijing has rejected calls from the United States and other countries for a renewed origin probe after a heavily politicised visit by a WHO team in January also proved inconclusive, and faced criticism for lacking transparency and access. In a statement Friday, the Chinese embassy in Washington slammed the US intelligence community's findings, defending its handling of the pandemic and the WHO investigation. "The report by the US intelligence community shows that the US is bent on going down the wrong path of political manipulation," the embassy said in a statement. "The report by the intelligence community is based on the presumption of guilt on the part of China, and it is only for scapegoating China." At the outset of the pandemic, the natural origin hypothesis — that the virus emerged in bats and then passed to humans, likely via an intermediary species — was widely accepted. But as time wore on and scientists were unable to find a virus in either bats or another animal that matches the genetic signature of SARS-CoV-2, investigators said they were more open to considering a leak involving the Wuhan Institute of Virology, which carried out bat coronavirus research. Recent scientific papers, however, are tilting the debate back towards a zoonotic origin. Researchers in China and the University of Glasgow published a paper in the journal Science that found "animal-to-human transmission associated with infected live animals is the most likely cause of the COVID-19 pandemic." Additionally, a paper by 21 top virologists in the journal Cell bluntly concluded: "There is currently no evidence that SARS-CoV-2 has a laboratory origin."

Biden says China still withholding 'critical' info on Covid origins

A classified US intelligence report that was submitted to the White House recently couldn’t conclusively trace the origins of the COVID-19 virus due to lack of information provided by China, a report by the US media has stated.

The assessment report, which was ordered by President Joe Biden three months ago, couldn’t prove whether the virus that first emerged in central China had jumped to humans via animals or escaped a highly secure research facility in Wuhan, a report from the Washington report said citing two unnamed US officials who are familiar with the matter.

They said the report would be declassified in coming days.

When Biden ordered the investigation, he said the US intelligence agencies were split over the “two likely scenarios”—animals or lab.

Former president Donald Trump and his aides had earlier pointed fingers at Beijing, claiming that the virus came out of a Wuhan virology lab amid intense criticism over their administration’s handling of the outbreak.

“Despite Biden’s directive that the intelligence community redouble their efforts to untangle the origin debate, the 90-day review brought them no closer to consensus,” the officials told the Post

Responding to reports, China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin on Wednesday criticised Washington for “politicising” the issue of COVID origin-tracing.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-virologist-claims-covid-19-was-made-in-wuhan-lab-offers-scientific-proof-327153">Chinese virologist claims COVID-19 was made in Wuhan lab; offers scientific proof</a>

“The United States says it lacks information from China,” Wang told a press briefing, according to China News service, a state-owned newswire.

“I can tell the United States that this is just an excuse to cover up the failure of its intelligence in origin tracing.”

Wang said the report was political and therefore it would not draw any scientific conclusion, “and would only disturb and damage the international effort in finding the origin of the virus and the global cooperation against COVID-19.”

Beijing has repeatedly rejected calls from the United States and other countries for a renewed origin probe after a heavily politicized visit by a World Health Organization (WHO) team in January also proved inconclusive and faced criticism for lacking transparency and access.

Even WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus admitted that the global health body’s probe into Wuhan’s virology labs did not go far enough.

(With inputs from agencies)

A classified US intelligence report that was submitted to the White House recently couldn’t conclusively trace the origins of the COVID-19 virus due to lack of information provided by China, a report by the US media has stated.

A classified US intelligence report that was submitted to the White House recently couldn’t conclusively trace the origins of the COVID-19 virus due to lack of information provided by China, a report by the US media has stated. The assessment report, which was ordered by President Joe Biden three months ago, couldn’t prove whether the virus that first emerged in central China had jumped to humans via animals or escaped a highly secure research facility in Wuhan, a report from the Washington report said citing two unnamed US officials who are familiar with the matter. They said the report would be declassified in coming days. When Biden ordered the investigation, he said the US intelligence agencies were split over the “two likely scenarios”—animals or lab. Former president Donald Trump and his aides had earlier pointed fingers at Beijing, claiming that the virus came out of a Wuhan virology lab amid intense criticism over their administration’s handling of the outbreak. “Despite Biden’s directive that the intelligence community redouble their efforts to untangle the origin debate, the 90-day review brought them no closer to consensus,” the officials told the Post Responding to reports, China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin on Wednesday criticised Washington for “politicising” the issue of COVID origin-tracing. Also read | Chinese virologist claims COVID-19 was made in Wuhan lab; offers scientific proof “The United States says it lacks information from China,” Wang told a press briefing, according to China News service, a state-owned newswire. “I can tell the United States that this is just an excuse to cover up the failure of its intelligence in origin tracing.” Wang said the report was political and therefore it would not draw any scientific conclusion, “and would only disturb and damage the international effort in finding the origin of the virus and the global cooperation against COVID-19.” Beijing has repeatedly rejected calls from the United States and other countries for a renewed origin probe after a heavily politicized visit by a World Health Organization (WHO) team in January also proved inconclusive and faced criticism for lacking transparency and access. Even WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus admitted that the global health body’s probe into Wuhan’s virology labs did not go far enough. (With inputs from agencies)

Classified US intelligence study inconclusive on COVID origins: Report

Under new edicts covering almost two dozen cities and counties, millions of Chinese people will be banned from public spaces including schools, hospitals, and shopping malls unless they obtain the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">COVID-19 vaccine</a>.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus</a> first emerged in Wuhan in late 2019 but Beijing has since brought it under control.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-detects-18-cases-of-double-mutant-covid-19-variant-first-found-in-india-383246">China detects 18 cases of double mutant COVID-19 variant first found in India</a>

Numerous second-tier cities are at risk following the outbreak of highly contagious Delta variants across Asia. The tough new rules could be a precursor to what is to come across the country.

The national vaccination target for China is 64 per cent by the end of the year, and the new measures indicate significant coercion.

According to a government notice posted late Wednesday, all Chuxiong residents who are more than 18 years old must get a dose of the vaccine by July 23. Chuxiong is located in the southern province of Yunnan and has about 510,000 residents.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fresh-covid-19-outbreak-rattles-china-cluster-grows-in-guangzhou-388878">Fresh COVID-19 outbreak rattles China, cluster grows in Guangzhou</a>

According to the notice, failure to comply with the deadline would result in being prohibited from entering public facilities, such as hospitals, nursing homes, kindergartens, and schools, as well as libraries, museums, and prisons.

The requirement for entering public buildings will be two shots after a month.

At least a dozen other cities and counties in China also issued similar warnings, including six in Jiangxi province, one in Sichuan, one in Gaungxi and three in Fujian province.

Exceeding the national target, many local governments intend to vaccinate 70 to 80 per cent of the population by September.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-china-records-highest-daily-covid-cases-indonesia-reports-highest-deaths-396547">Coronavirus: China records highest daily Covid cases, Indonesia reports highest deaths</a>

According to an official notice published Monday, Tianhe county in central Henan province is setting a deadline for employees not inoculated by July 20 to stop receiving their wages and be dismissed.

There are volunteer teams stationed in more than a dozen places where unvaccinated individuals are being observed to note down their names and contact information.

There is no information on whether this information is shared with the local task force.

A backlash has emerged online in response to the move.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-reports-30-new-coronavirus-cases-on-june-5-up-from-previous-day-389684">China reports 30 new coronavirus cases on June 5, up from previous day</a>

"Initially, you (the government) said vaccination was voluntary, now you're forcing us!" wrote one disgruntled user of China's Weibo, its Twitter-like equivalent.

Another user remarked, "I just got my second dose, and this new policy sounds like a royal decree: disappointed and disgusting!"

As a result of China's success in ending the coronavirus outbreak and vaccination safety concerns, an inoculation campaign was launched last year with low uptake. Since then, officials have used varied incentives to boost inoculation levels.

Chinese officials reported that more than 1.4 billion doses of the COVID-19 vaccine had been administered by Tuesday, but did not specify how many individuals had been vaccinated.

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

Under new edicts covering almost two dozen cities and counties, millions of Chinese people will be banned from public spaces including schools, hospitals, and shopping malls unless they obtain the COVID-19 vaccine.

Under new edicts covering almost two dozen cities and counties, millions of Chinese people will be banned from public spaces including schools, hospitals, and shopping malls unless they obtain the COVID-19 vaccine. The coronavirus first emerged in Wuhan in late 2019 but Beijing has since brought it under control. Also read | China detects 18 cases of double mutant COVID-19 variant first found in India Numerous second-tier cities are at risk following the outbreak of highly contagious Delta variants across Asia. The tough new rules could be a precursor to what is to come across the country. The national vaccination target for China is 64 per cent by the end of the year, and the new measures indicate significant coercion. According to a government notice posted late Wednesday, all Chuxiong residents who are more than 18 years old must get a dose of the vaccine by July 23. Chuxiong is located in the southern province of Yunnan and has about 510,000 residents. Also read | Fresh COVID-19 outbreak rattles China, cluster grows in Guangzhou According to the notice, failure to comply with the deadline would result in being prohibited from entering public facilities, such as hospitals, nursing homes, kindergartens, and schools, as well as libraries, museums, and prisons. The requirement for entering public buildings will be two shots after a month. At least a dozen other cities and counties in China also issued similar warnings, including six in Jiangxi province, one in Sichuan, one in Gaungxi and three in Fujian province. Exceeding the national target, many local governments intend to vaccinate 70 to 80 per cent of the population by September. Also read | Coronavirus: China records highest daily Covid cases, Indonesia reports highest deaths According to an official notice published Monday, Tianhe county in central Henan province is setting a deadline for employees not inoculated by July 20 to stop receiving their wages and be dismissed. There are volunteer teams stationed in more than a dozen places where unvaccinated individuals are being observed to note down their names and contact information. There is no information on whether this information is shared with the local task force. A backlash has emerged online in response to the move. Also read | China reports 30 new coronavirus cases on June 5, up from previous day "Initially, you (the government) said vaccination was voluntary, now you're forcing us!" wrote one disgruntled user of China's Weibo, its Twitter-like equivalent. Another user remarked, "I just got my second dose, and this new policy sounds like a royal decree: disappointed and disgusting!" As a result of China's success in ending the coronavirus outbreak and vaccination safety concerns, an inoculation campaign was launched last year with low uptake. Since then, officials have used varied incentives to boost inoculation levels. Chinese officials reported that more than 1.4 billion doses of the COVID-19 vaccine had been administered by Tuesday, but did not specify how many individuals had been vaccinated. (With inputs from agencies)

In China, public spaces will soon not accept unvaccinated adults

Neighbourhoods under strict lockdown. Thousands quarantined. Millions tested in mere days. Overseas arrivals locked up for weeks and sometimes months.

China has followed variations of that formula for dealing with the coronavirus for more than a year, and a new outbreak suggests that they could be part of Chinese life for some time to come.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-reports-30-new-coronavirus-cases-on-june-5-up-from-previous-day-389684">China reports 30 new coronavirus cases on June 5, up from previous day</a>

China appeared to get the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus</a> under control nearly a year ago. But hundreds of millions of Chinese people remain unvaccinated. New variants of the coronavirus have appeared, and questions remain about whether China’s self-made <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">vaccines</a> can stop them.

The latest cases have been found in Guangzhou, capital of the southern province of Guangdong. Authorities have blamed the delta variant, which has caused widespread loss of life in India.

The city tested practically its entire population of 18.7 million between Sunday and Tuesday, some of them for the second time. It has also put neighborhoods with a total of more than 180,000 residents into total lockdown, with practically no one allowed out except to go to medical testing.

The early infections appear to have jumped from person to person at a cluster of eateries. Each infected person has infected more other people than in any previous outbreak that China has confronted, Zhang Zhoubin, deputy director of the Guangzhou Center for Disease Control, said at a news conference.

“The epidemic faced by Guangzhou this time is an unprecedented opponent, and it requires more resolute and decisive measures to deal with it,” he said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-reports-15-new-locally-transmitted-covid-cases-389134">China reports 15 new locally transmitted Covid cases</a>

Test facilities in Guangzhou have been operating around the clock. Lines are long. Residents wake early to try to beat the rush but still find delays.

China’s approach has evolved since the coronavirus first emerged, when Beijing initially put harsh restrictions on hundreds of millions of people. Today its lockdowns are focused on neighborhoods rather than cities or provinces. China has made vaccination the centerpiece of its strategy.

Still, many of the core tenets remain for a huge and densely populated country: vast testing, strict limits on movement and intense scrutiny of arrivals from other countries.

Foreign businesses have worried that those limits on international travelers could snarl their plans. A European Union Chamber of Commerce survey released this week found that three-quarters of member companies said they had been adversely affected by travel restrictions, usually by hindering them from bringing in key engineers or executives.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fresh-covid-19-outbreak-rattles-china-cluster-grows-in-guangzhou-388878">Fresh COVID-19 outbreak rattles China, cluster grows in Guangzhou</a>

Beijing has demanded that travelers from dozens of countries spend two weeks in employer-supervised quarantine even before flying to China. Once there, travelers must spend at least two weeks and sometimes three or longer in government-supervised quarantine, even if they are fully vaccinated. Rounds of tests can turn up a possibly false positive, leading to more tests and additional days or weeks in isolation.

Many foreigners in China face a choice: If they leave to visit spouses, children and other family members elsewhere, they may be unable to reenter the country later because of the pandemic restrictions.

“There is absolutely a growing fatigue for a lot of the foreigners who are here,” said Jacob Gunter, senior policy and communications manager at the EU Chamber of Commerce in China.

At home, China’s leaders are pushing its people to get vaccinated. It has administered about 800 million doses by the government’s count, compared with 300 million administered in the United States. Yin Weidong, chair and CEO of Sinovac Biotech, one of China’s main vaccine manufacturers, told state television Friday that Chinese regulators had approved the emergency use of vaccines in children as young as 3.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-set-to-vaccinate-3-year-old-kids-report-390174">China set to vaccinate 3-year-old kids: Report</a>

Still, administering 800 million doses, almost all of the vaccines require two shots, means most of China’s 1.4 billion people have not been fully vaccinated. Some people remain hesitant to get the shots, and Chinese media outlets have used the Guangzhou outbreak to encourage skeptics to get inoculated.

The spread of the virus has raised fresh questions about the effectiveness of China’s vaccines, particularly against variants. The Seychelles last month and now Mongolia in the past three weeks have both had large numbers of infections despite high vaccination rates. Both have used the Sinopharm vaccine from China, although the Seychelles also relied partly on AstraZeneca vaccines.

The delta variant now circulating in Guangzhou has also shown the ability in other countries to infect some people who had already been vaccinated, a phenomenon known as vaccine escape. Research elsewhere has found that to be a particular problem for people who have received only a first injection of a two-jab vaccine and are then exposed to the delta variant.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-chinese-couples-get-approval-for-3-kids-uighur-women-still-subjected-to-birth-control-horrors-388898">As Chinese couples get approval for 3 kids, Uighur women still subjected to birth control horrors</a>

Researchers in Britain have found that receiving only the first of two shots of the Oxford-AstraZeneca or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines may be only 30&nbsp;per cent effective in preventing infection with the delta variant, said Raina MacIntyre, who heads the biosecurity program at the Kirby Institute of the University of New South Wales in Sydney.

After two doses, effectiveness appears to rise to 60 per cent with the AstraZeneca vaccine and 88&nbsp;per cent with Pfizer-BioNTech.

“With the degree of vaccine escape there is with the delta variant, you really do need people to be fully vaccinated,” she said.

Yin told China’s state-run television network Saturday that a third shot of his company’s vaccine produces a tenfold increase in antibodies within a week. But Chinese vaccine manufacturers are not yet recommending a third dose.

“As far as China is concerned, in fact, completing the two-shot immunization is the most important task for all the public,” he said.

In the meantime, Guangzhou has tried to turn its virus setback into a showcase for local technologies. Officials there said they had used 31 driverless shuttle vans and trucks to send food and other critical supplies into locked-down neighborhoods to avoid exposing delivery personnel.

By Tuesday, Guangdong province had 157 people in the hospital with the virus and was announcing about 10 new cases per day. The province and also Guangzhou itself have banned anyone since last weekend from leaving unless they have a valid reason and a negative nucleic acid test for the virus within the preceding 48 hours.

Unlike many places around the world, Guangzhou at least does not have to worry about running out of pandemic supplies: It is coincidentally a hub for manufacturing and exporting them. Chen Jianhua, chief economist of the Guangzhou Bureau of Industry and Information Technology, said at a news conference Wednesday that the city’s daily production capacity was 91 million masks and 7 million sets of coronavirus detection chemicals.

Neighbourhoods under strict lockdown. Thousands quarantined. Millions tested in mere days. Overseas arrivals locked up for weeks and sometimes months. China has followed variations of that formula for dealing with the coronavirus for more than a year, and a new outbreak suggests that they could be part of Chinese life for some time to come.

Neighbourhoods under strict lockdown. Thousands quarantined. Millions tested in mere days. Overseas arrivals locked up for weeks and sometimes months. China has followed variations of that formula for dealing with the coronavirus for more than a year, and a new outbreak suggests that they could be part of Chinese life for some time to come. Also Read | China reports 30 new coronavirus cases on June 5, up from previous day China appeared to get the coronavirus under control nearly a year ago. But hundreds of millions of Chinese people remain unvaccinated. New variants of the coronavirus have appeared, and questions remain about whether China’s self-made vaccines can stop them. The latest cases have been found in Guangzhou, capital of the southern province of Guangdong. Authorities have blamed the delta variant, which has caused widespread loss of life in India. The city tested practically its entire population of 18.7 million between Sunday and Tuesday, some of them for the second time. It has also put neighborhoods with a total of more than 180,000 residents into total lockdown, with practically no one allowed out except to go to medical testing. The early infections appear to have jumped from person to person at a cluster of eateries. Each infected person has infected more other people than in any previous outbreak that China has confronted, Zhang Zhoubin, deputy director of the Guangzhou Center for Disease Control, said at a news conference. “The epidemic faced by Guangzhou this time is an unprecedented opponent, and it requires more resolute and decisive measures to deal with it,” he said. Also read | China reports 15 new locally transmitted Covid cases Test facilities in Guangzhou have been operating around the clock. Lines are long. Residents wake early to try to beat the rush but still find delays. China’s approach has evolved since the coronavirus first emerged, when Beijing initially put harsh restrictions on hundreds of millions of people. Today its lockdowns are focused on neighborhoods rather than cities or provinces. China has made vaccination the centerpiece of its strategy. Still, many of the core tenets remain for a huge and densely populated country: vast testing, strict limits on movement and intense scrutiny of arrivals from other countries. Foreign businesses have worried that those limits on international travelers could snarl their plans. A European Union Chamber of Commerce survey released this week found that three-quarters of member companies said they had been adversely affected by travel restrictions, usually by hindering them from bringing in key engineers or executives. Also read | Fresh COVID-19 outbreak rattles China, cluster grows in Guangzhou Beijing has demanded that travelers from dozens of countries spend two weeks in employer-supervised quarantine even before flying to China. Once there, travelers must spend at least two weeks and sometimes three or longer in government-supervised quarantine, even if they are fully vaccinated. Rounds of tests can turn up a possibly false positive, leading to more tests and additional days or weeks in isolation. Many foreigners in China face a choice: If they leave to visit spouses, children and other family members elsewhere, they may be unable to reenter the country later because of the pandemic restrictions. “There is absolutely a growing fatigue for a lot of the foreigners who are here,” said Jacob Gunter, senior policy and communications manager at the EU Chamber of Commerce in China. At home, China’s leaders are pushing its people to get vaccinated. It has administered about 800 million doses by the government’s count, compared with 300 million administered in the United States. Yin Weidong, chair and CEO of Sinovac Biotech, one of China’s main vaccine manufacturers, told state television Friday that Chinese regulators had approved the emergency use of vaccines in children as young as 3. Also read | China set to vaccinate 3-year-old kids: Report Still, administering 800 million doses, almost all of the vaccines require two shots, means most of China’s 1.4 billion people have not been fully vaccinated. Some people remain hesitant to get the shots, and Chinese media outlets have used the Guangzhou outbreak to encourage skeptics to get inoculated. The spread of the virus has raised fresh questions about the effectiveness of China’s vaccines, particularly against variants. The Seychelles last month and now Mongolia in the past three weeks have both had large numbers of infections despite high vaccination rates. Both have used the Sinopharm vaccine from China, although the Seychelles also relied partly on AstraZeneca vaccines. The delta variant now circulating in Guangzhou has also shown the ability in other countries to infect some people who had already been vaccinated, a phenomenon known as vaccine escape. Research elsewhere has found that to be a particular problem for people who have received only a first injection of a two-jab vaccine and are then exposed to the delta variant. Also read | As Chinese couples get approval for 3 kids, Uighur women still subjected to birth control horrors Researchers in Britain have found that receiving only the first of two shots of the Oxford-AstraZeneca or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines may be only 30 per cent effective in preventing infection with the delta variant, said Raina MacIntyre, who heads the biosecurity program at the Kirby Institute of the University of New South Wales in Sydney. After two doses, effectiveness appears to rise to 60 per cent with the AstraZeneca vaccine and 88 per cent with Pfizer-BioNTech. “With the degree of vaccine escape there is with the delta variant, you really do need people to be fully vaccinated,” she said. Yin told China’s state-run television network Saturday that a third shot of his company’s vaccine produces a tenfold increase in antibodies within a week. But Chinese vaccine manufacturers are not yet recommending a third dose. “As far as China is concerned, in fact, completing the two-shot immunization is the most important task for all the public,” he said. In the meantime, Guangzhou has tried to turn its virus setback into a showcase for local technologies. Officials there said they had used 31 driverless shuttle vans and trucks to send food and other critical supplies into locked-down neighborhoods to avoid exposing delivery personnel. By Tuesday, Guangdong province had 157 people in the hospital with the virus and was announcing about 10 new cases per day. The province and also Guangzhou itself have banned anyone since last weekend from leaving unless they have a valid reason and a negative nucleic acid test for the virus within the preceding 48 hours. Unlike many places around the world, Guangzhou at least does not have to worry about running out of pandemic supplies: It is coincidentally a hub for manufacturing and exporting them. Chen Jianhua, chief economist of the Guangzhou Bureau of Industry and Information Technology, said at a news conference Wednesday that the city’s daily production capacity was 91 million masks and 7 million sets of coronavirus detection chemicals.

China returns to its strict Covid limits to fight a new outbreak

China has decided to cancel the 2021 spring climbing season from the Tibetan side of Mount Everest, the world's tallest peak, because of coronavirus concerns, the official Xinhua news agency said on Saturday.

It cited a notice on Friday from the General Administration of Sport, following a severe pandemic situation.

The Himalayan nation of Nepal, which is so short of oxygen canisters it has asked mountaineers to bring back their empties, has issued a record 408 permits to climb Everest in the April-May season after last year's closure.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/covid-19-mt-everest-climbers-show-symptoms-officials-dismiss-reports-of-possible-outbreak-383235">COVID-19: Mt Everest climbers show symptoms, officials dismiss reports of possible outbreak</a>

In contrast, a total of 21 Chinese climbers had secured approval for climbs in spring, Xinhua added.

Last Sunday, state media said China would establish "a line of separation" at the summit of Everest to prevent the mingling of climbers from Nepal and those ascending from the Tibetan side as a precautionary measure.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/china-to-create-line-of-separation-at-everest-summit-on-covid-fears-383921">China to create 'line of separation' at Everest summit on COVID fears</a>

Everest has been scaled by more than 6,000 climbers since the first conquest by Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay in 1953. At least 311 people have died on the slopes of the mountain, which is 8,849 metres (29,032 ft) high.

China has decided to cancel the 2021 spring climbing season from the Tibetan side of Mount Everest, the world's tallest peak, because of coronavirus concerns, the official Xinhua news agency said on Saturday.

China has decided to cancel the 2021 spring climbing season from the Tibetan side of Mount Everest, the world's tallest peak, because of coronavirus concerns, the official Xinhua news agency said on Saturday. It cited a notice on Friday from the General Administration of Sport, following a severe pandemic situation. The Himalayan nation of Nepal, which is so short of oxygen canisters it has asked mountaineers to bring back their empties, has issued a record 408 permits to climb Everest in the April-May season after last year's closure. Also read | COVID-19: Mt Everest climbers show symptoms, officials dismiss reports of possible outbreak In contrast, a total of 21 Chinese climbers had secured approval for climbs in spring, Xinhua added. Last Sunday, state media said China would establish "a line of separation" at the summit of Everest to prevent the mingling of climbers from Nepal and those ascending from the Tibetan side as a precautionary measure. Also read | China to create 'line of separation' at Everest summit on COVID fears Everest has been scaled by more than 6,000 climbers since the first conquest by Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay in 1953. At least 311 people have died on the slopes of the mountain, which is 8,849 metres (29,032 ft) high.

China cancels Everest spring climbing over coronavirus worries

Mainland China reported seven new COVID-19 cases on May 13, including its first local transmissions in more than three weeks, the country`s national health authority said on Friday.

Two of the new cases were local infections in the eastern province of Anhui, the National Health Commission said in a statement. The cases were the first local transmissions since April 20, when China recorded two local infections in the southwestern province of Yunnan, where a city on the border with Myanmar reported a new cluster in late March.

China's official Xinhua news agency reported that one of the local cases surnamed Li, had travelled to Anhui on May 1 from Dalian, a port city in China`s northeastern Liaoning province.

The other case, surnamed Zhang, was in close contact with Li during a training class Li led in the city of Luan, near Anhui`s provincial capital Hefei, Xinhua reported.

Another local infection was newly reported on Friday in Feixi county, under Hefei`s jurisdiction, according to the city government. The case, surnamed Lu, had shared a hotel room with Li.

Two areas in Luan city and one part of Feixi county were declared "medium-risk" regions by local authorities in response to the cases. State media reported mass testing being carried out in the main urban area in Luan and some areas in Hefei.

The other five cases announced Friday were imported infections originating overseas. The health commission had reported nine cases a day earlier, all imported.

The number of new asymptomatic cases, which China does not classify as confirmed cases, rose to 22 from 14 cases a day earlier.

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Mainland China now stands at 90,815, while the death toll remained unchanged at 4,636.

Mainland China reported seven new COVID-19 cases on May 13, including its first local transmissions in more than three weeks, the country`s national health authority said on Friday.

Mainland China reported seven new COVID-19 cases on May 13, including its first local transmissions in more than three weeks, the country`s national health authority said on Friday. Two of the new cases were local infections in the eastern province of Anhui, the National Health Commission said in a statement. The cases were the first local transmissions since April 20, when China recorded two local infections in the southwestern province of Yunnan, where a city on the border with Myanmar reported a new cluster in late March. China's official Xinhua news agency reported that one of the local cases surnamed Li, had travelled to Anhui on May 1 from Dalian, a port city in China`s northeastern Liaoning province. The other case, surnamed Zhang, was in close contact with Li during a training class Li led in the city of Luan, near Anhui`s provincial capital Hefei, Xinhua reported. Another local infection was newly reported on Friday in Feixi county, under Hefei`s jurisdiction, according to the city government. The case, surnamed Lu, had shared a hotel room with Li. Two areas in Luan city and one part of Feixi county were declared "medium-risk" regions by local authorities in response to the cases. State media reported mass testing being carried out in the main urban area in Luan and some areas in Hefei. The other five cases announced Friday were imported infections originating overseas. The health commission had reported nine cases a day earlier, all imported. The number of new asymptomatic cases, which China does not classify as confirmed cases, rose to 22 from 14 cases a day earlier. The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Mainland China now stands at 90,815, while the death toll remained unchanged at 4,636.

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A bipartisan group of US&nbsp;lawmakers on Wednesday introduced legislation calling for $100 billion in government spending over five years on basic and advanced technology research and science in the face of rising competitive pressure from China. 
 
The measure, sponsored by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, Republican Senator Todd Young and others, would also authorise another $10 billion to designate at least 10 regional technology hubs and create a supply chain crisis response program. 
 
The bill, called the "Endless Frontier Act," represents a significant effort by the government to shore up private sector and university research efforts in advanced technologies with federal funding. 
 
"There is a bipartisan consensus that the United States must invest in the technologies of the future to out-compete China," Schumer said, adding "whichever nation develops new technologies first - be they democratic or authoritarian - will set the terms for their use." 
 
Republican Representative Mike Gallagher, another sponsor, said US&nbsp;superiority in science and technology "is at risk. The Chinese Communist Party has used decades of intellectual property theft and industrial espionage to close this technological gap in a way that threatens not only our economic security, but also our way of life." 
 
The Senate Commerce Committee is expected to mark up the bill next week as Schumer looks to fast-track approval. 
 
Schumer said separately he will push for "emergency spending" to implement the semiconductor manufacturing provisions in last year’s defense bill. 
 
In February, President Joe Biden said he would seek $37 billion in funding for legislation to boost chip manufacturing in the United States as a shortfall of semiconductors has forced US&nbsp;automakers and other manufacturers to cut production. 
 
Biden`s $2.3 trillion infrastructure and jobs bill calls for $50 billion for semiconductor manufacturing and research. 
 
The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation called the bill a "seminal piece of legislation taking definitive steps to restore American competitiveness in 10 key advanced-technology industries of the future, such as biotech, clean energy, and semiconductors."

A bipartisan group of US lawmakers on Wednesday introduced legislation calling for $100 billion in government spending over five years on basic and advanced technology research and science in the face of rising competitive pressure from China.

A bipartisan group of US lawmakers on Wednesday introduced legislation calling for $100 billion in government spending over five years on basic and advanced technology research and science in the face of rising competitive pressure from China. The measure, sponsored by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, Republican Senator Todd Young and others, would also authorise another $10 billion to designate at least 10 regional technology hubs and create a supply chain crisis response program. The bill, called the "Endless Frontier Act," represents a significant effort by the government to shore up private sector and university research efforts in advanced technologies with federal funding. "There is a bipartisan consensus that the United States must invest in the technologies of the future to out-compete China," Schumer said, adding "whichever nation develops new technologies first - be they democratic or authoritarian - will set the terms for their use." Republican Representative Mike Gallagher, another sponsor, said US superiority in science and technology "is at risk. The Chinese Communist Party has used decades of intellectual property theft and industrial espionage to close this technological gap in a way that threatens not only our economic security, but also our way of life." The Senate Commerce Committee is expected to mark up the bill next week as Schumer looks to fast-track approval. Schumer said separately he will push for "emergency spending" to implement the semiconductor manufacturing provisions in last year’s defense bill. In February, President Joe Biden said he would seek $37 billion in funding for legislation to boost chip manufacturing in the United States as a shortfall of semiconductors has forced US automakers and other manufacturers to cut production. Biden`s $2.3 trillion infrastructure and jobs bill calls for $50 billion for semiconductor manufacturing and research. The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation called the bill a "seminal piece of legislation taking definitive steps to restore American competitiveness in 10 key advanced-technology industries of the future, such as biotech, clean energy, and semiconductors."

US lawmakers back $100 billion science push to compete with China

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