**China’s ‘Zero-COVID’ policy, which aims to eliminate all traces of the virus through mass testing, quarantines, and lockdowns, has come under increasing strain in recent months.**.
**As infections rise and public frustration grows,** China is now **signaling that it may be willing to abandon its strict ‘Zero-COVID’ approach,** according to a report in the Financial Times..
**The report, which cites unnamed sources, says that Chinese health officials are considering a shift to a new strategy that would focus on minimizing severe illness and death from COVID-19, rather than eliminating the virus entirely.**.
**Such a shift would represent a major change in China’s approach to the pandemic.** Since the virus first emerged in Wuhan in late 2019, China has pursued a ‘Zero-COVID’ strategy that has been credited with saving countless lives. However, the policy has also come at a significant cost to the economy and to people’s freedoms..
**In recent months, there have been growing signs that China is struggling to maintain its ‘Zero-COVID’ policy.** Infections have been rising in several major cities, including Beijing and Shanghai. The government has responded with a series of lockdowns and travel restrictions, but these measures have proved to be increasingly unpopular..
**Public frustration with the ‘Zero-COVID’ policy has also been growing.** People have been complaining about the disruption to their lives, the loss of income, and the lack of freedom. There have also been several protests against the policy in recent weeks..
**The Financial Times report suggests that the Chinese government is aware of the growing public discontent and is considering a change in strategy.** The report says that health officials are studying how other countries have managed to live with COVID-19 without resorting to strict lockdowns..
**It is still too early to say whether China will actually abandon its ‘Zero-COVID’ policy.** However, the Financial Times report suggests that the government is at least considering a change in approach..
**If China does abandon its ‘Zero-COVID’ policy, it would be a significant development.** It would signal that the country is finally moving away from its strict approach to the pandemic and towards a more sustainable strategy..
**It would also be a major boost to the global economy.** China’s ‘Zero-COVID’ policy has been a major drag on the global economy, as it has disrupted supply chains and reduced demand for goods and services..
**A shift to a more sustainable strategy in China would help to boost global growth and create jobs.** It would also help to reduce the risk of a global recession..
