COVID-19

China’s central government aimed to modify the zero COVID policy incrementally following the 20th Party Congress. What went wrong?

Thai officials are projecting that 5 million Chinese nationals will visit in 2023, buoying the recovery of the country's tourism sector.

North Korea’s quest to strengthen its military power will require financial backing – which means reopening borders for trade and migrant workers. 

Beijing sharply criticized decisions by several countries (including the U.S., France, and Australia) to require COVID tests for new arrivals from China.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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