As the lunar new year festival approaches, China has announced an internet censorship crackdown to ensure that there are no "gloomy sentiments" caused by pandemic rumours.

Internet censorship crackdown, Jinping's concerns and Lee's optimism, here's how Covid is faring in China

The cyber authorities of China are set to censor social media to ensure that "rumours" regarding the pandemic do not create “gloomy sentiments” on the platforms during the lunar new year festival.

China announces censorship crackdown to remove Covid ‘rumours’ from internet

As many as 900 million (90 crore) Chinese people have been infected with Covid amid China's ongoing crisis to control the spread of the virus more than a month after doing away with most pandemic-related restrictions, according to a study by Peking University.

About 900 million in China infected with Covid: Chinese university study