End of zero-Covid creates new problems

Amidst mounting social frustration and protests and record-low Q4 economic data, China’s government further relaxed its Covid control measures with the 7 December announcement of the “ten new measures” – a 180-degree turn-around from the “doubling down on zero” strategy less than a month ago. This abrupt exit from Zero-Covid has already led to a hike of positive cases in Beijing and other major cities, over-priced cold medicines and over-stretched medical resources.

Last updated: 24. July 2025