China: Cities still rush to lockdown

• More than 70 Chinese cities are under complete or partial Covid lockdowns.
• It affected more than 300 million people.
• Local officials seek to eradicate infections at any costs.

Since late August, more than 70 Chinese cities have been under complete or partial Covid lockdowns, affecting more than 300 million people, as local officials seek to eradicate infections at any costs in the run-up to expected third-term leader Xi Jinping.

According to CNN’s calculations, lockdowns have been implemented since August 20 in at least 74 cities with a total population of 313 million. These lockdowns have affected entire cities, districts, or numerous areas. They include Tianjin, a municipality at the province level, and fifteen provincial capitals.

Many of the limitations still exist. Caixin, a Chinese business publication, reports that 33 cities are currently either completely or partially locked down. According to experts, more cities will probably be added in the upcoming weeks.

The restoration to regular life in many parts of the world, where society have mostly adapted to living with the virus, contrasts sharply with the broad restrictions that upend lives and enterprises.

However, China is adamant that zero-Covid saves lives. Health officials have highlighted barriers to easing limitations such as the relatively low elderly immunization rate and insufficient rural healthcare, but Chinese public health specialists claim political concerns have also played a significant role.

The 20th Party Congress, set to begin on October 16, will elect Xi, a fervent supporter of the nation’s unyielding zero-Covid approach, as its next top leader for another five years.

The meticulously planned event is intended to be a moment of celebration and vindication of the Party’s and Xi’s personal accomplishments over his ten years in power. And specialists warn that a serious outbreak runs the risk of damaging this successful image.

Yanzhong Huang, a senior fellow for global health at the Council on Foreign Relations, said, “The Party wants to make sure nothing untoward, such as a major outbreak, could potentially threaten social stability, cast a shadow over the leadership transition process — and not to mention tarnish Xi’s personal leadership credibility.”

Xi has endorsed the zero-Covid plan, which the ruling Communist Party has used to claim that its political system is superior to Western democracies.

Some people have started to doubt the zero-tolerance policy after a grueling two-month lockdown in Shanghai earlier this year caused a public backlash and devastated the economy. By threatening China “resolutely battle against any comments and behaviors that distort, doubt, or deny” his zero-Covid policy in response, Xi delivered a stern warning to his detractors.

All around the nation, officials have taken notice. Huang claimed that their key takeaway from Shanghai was the need to respond more swiftly and decisively to even the tiniest possible outbreaks.

In order to support the Party line, show their allegiance to Xi, and avoid any widespread breakout that may endanger their careers weeks before the Party congress, local officials are stepping up their efforts to implement zero-Covid.

This gives them a strong incentive to take harsh, severe preventive action, according to Huang. “More cities will go under lockdown in the next month and a half.”

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