Looking beyond China’s Covid Wall

THE new year began with any number of political factors that can impact business. But perhaps the most immediate is China, exiting from its zero-Covid policy. Many had urged this change.

Like its Great Wall, China’s zero-Covid policy attracted attention with its dimensions. Border controls and travel restrictions lasted more than 1,000 days – longer than any other major country. Extraordinary lengths were taken to strictly police the policy, closely associated with President Xi Jinping personally.

The suddenness and completeness of the decision to end Covid Zero therefore surprised. As the volte-face followed waves of citizen protests, soon after President Xi was installed for a record third term, speculation swirls about its implications on governance.