China | Chaguan

China’s “zero-covid” policy doubles as a loyalty test

Hong Kong can open to the mainland or the world. It must choose

HONG KONG is about to endure its worst three months since the covid-19 pandemic began. With new case numbers running at thousands per day and doubling every few days, the financial and trading hub of 7.5m people faces an outbreak that—were it happening in mainland China—would trigger a citywide lockdown, with millions of people told to stay home, if necessary for weeks.

This article appeared in the China section of the print edition under the headline ““Zero covid” as a loyalty test”

Putin’s botched job

From the February 19th 2022 edition

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