China Puts Millions Back Into Covid Lockdown As Economy Continues To Struggle China

The measures affected cities from the southern cities of Shenzhen and Guangzhou to the northern port of Dalian and from the western metropolis of Chengdu to Shijiazhuang in central Hebei province. The lockdown in Dalian was expected to affect about half of its six million residents and was to last for five days, although authorities have previously extended restrictions depending on the number of new cases. The Shenzhen district of Longhua, which has 2.5 million residents, closed entertainment venues and wholesale markets on Tuesday and suspended major events. Guangzhou, a city of nearly 19 million people near Hong Kong, reported just five locally transmitted infections on Tuesday, but authorities ordered some areas in one district to close indoor entertainment and restaurant dining until Saturday. The city also ordered all kindergartens and elementary, middle and high schools in the area to delay the restart of the new term and stop offline sessions that have already begun, according to state media reports on Wednesday. Bus and metro services in the area were also reduced. The shutdown came as data released on Wednesday showed more signs that China’s economy is being held back by its strict zero-Covid strategy. The purchasing managers’ index, a key indicator of manufacturing activity in the world’s second-largest economy, rose to 49.4 in August from 49.0 in July, but was still below the 50-point mark that separates growth from the shrinkage, according to the National Bureau said statistics. Sporadic Covid-19 lockdowns across China have dampened consumer enthusiasm and business confidence, while rising temperatures in large parts of the country this summer have led to power cuts at factories. “Markets could be hit again in the next two weeks, likely triggering another round of cuts by economists down the road,” Nomura warned in a note, highlighting the importance of cities such as Shenzhen, also a major port. Beijing has remained relatively unaffected, although travel in and out of the capital has been discouraged and residents are being tested on an almost daily basis. Some lockdowns were imposed in other cities such as Chengdu in the southwest, Shenyang in the northeast and Jishui in the southeast. China’s “zero Covid” policy contrasts with other countries’ gradual easing of restrictions combined with vaccinations, drugs and voluntary isolation. China has largely kept its borders closed to foreign visitors, requiring anyone to self-quarantine for more than a week in hotels where sanitation is often poor. Coverage and regular testing are standard, and close contacts can be forcibly transferred to rural hospitals. The World Health Organization called China’s policy unsustainable. On Monday, a Chinese think tank made a rare public show of dissent, saying the restrictions – which have shuttered cities and disrupted trade, travel and industry – must be changed to prevent an “economic standstill”. Anbound Research Center said President Xi Jinping’s government should focus on restoring growth like the United States, Europe and Japan. “Preventing the risk of economic disruption should be the priority task,” the thinktank said in a report titled It’s Time for China to Adjust Its Virus Control and Prevention Policies. Previous lockdowns have seen tens of millions confined to their homes, sometimes for weeks. A strict lockdown this week in the biggest city and commercial hub, Shanghai, has led to protests over a lack of food and medical services. China on Tuesday reported 1,717 cases of local transmission, 52 of them in Liaoning province where Dalian is located. Most cases were reported in Sichuan province, whose capital is Chengdu, and the majority were asymptomatic. With Associated Press, Reuters and Agence-France Presse.

title: “China Puts Millions Back Into Covid Lockdown As Economy Continues To Struggle China Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-30” author: “William Negrete”

The measures affected cities from the southern cities of Shenzhen and Guangzhou to the northern port of Dalian and from the western metropolis of Chengdu to Shijiazhuang in central Hebei province. The lockdown in Dalian was expected to affect about half of its six million residents and was to last for five days, although authorities have previously extended restrictions depending on the number of new cases. The Shenzhen district of Longhua, which has 2.5 million residents, closed entertainment venues and wholesale markets on Tuesday and suspended major events. Guangzhou, a city of nearly 19 million people near Hong Kong, reported just five locally transmitted infections on Tuesday, but authorities ordered some areas in one district to close indoor entertainment and restaurant dining until Saturday. The city also ordered all kindergartens and elementary, middle and high schools in the area to delay the restart of the new term and stop offline sessions that have already begun, according to state media reports on Wednesday. Bus and metro services in the area were also reduced. The shutdown came as data released on Wednesday showed more signs that China’s economy is being held back by its strict zero-Covid strategy. The purchasing managers’ index, a key indicator of manufacturing activity in the world’s second-largest economy, rose to 49.4 in August from 49.0 in July, but was still below the 50-point mark that separates growth from the shrinkage, according to the National Bureau said statistics. Sporadic Covid-19 lockdowns across China have dampened consumer enthusiasm and business confidence, while rising temperatures in large parts of the country this summer have led to power cuts at factories. “Markets could be hit again in the next two weeks, likely triggering another round of cuts by economists down the road,” Nomura warned in a note, highlighting the importance of cities such as Shenzhen, also a major port. Beijing has remained relatively unaffected, although travel in and out of the capital has been discouraged and residents are being tested on an almost daily basis. Some lockdowns were imposed in other cities such as Chengdu in the southwest, Shenyang in the northeast and Jishui in the southeast. China’s “zero Covid” policy contrasts with other countries’ gradual easing of restrictions combined with vaccinations, drugs and voluntary isolation. China has largely kept its borders closed to foreign visitors, requiring anyone to self-quarantine for more than a week in hotels where sanitation is often poor. Coverage and regular testing are standard, and close contacts can be forcibly transferred to rural hospitals. The World Health Organization called China’s policy unsustainable. On Monday, a Chinese think tank made a rare public show of dissent, saying the restrictions – which have shuttered cities and disrupted trade, travel and industry – must be changed to prevent an “economic standstill”. Anbound Research Center said President Xi Jinping’s government should focus on restoring growth like the United States, Europe and Japan. “Preventing the risk of economic disruption should be the priority task,” the thinktank said in a report titled It’s Time for China to Adjust Its Virus Control and Prevention Policies. Previous lockdowns have seen tens of millions confined to their homes, sometimes for weeks. A strict lockdown this week in the biggest city and commercial hub, Shanghai, has led to protests over a lack of food and medical services. China on Tuesday reported 1,717 cases of local transmission, 52 of them in Liaoning province where Dalian is located. Most cases were reported in Sichuan province, whose capital is Chengdu, and the majority were asymptomatic. With Associated Press, Reuters and Agence-France Presse.

title: “China Puts Millions Back Into Covid Lockdown As Economy Continues To Struggle China Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-09” author: “Arthur Sepulveda”

The measures affected cities from the southern cities of Shenzhen and Guangzhou to the northern port of Dalian and from the western metropolis of Chengdu to Shijiazhuang in central Hebei province. The lockdown in Dalian was expected to affect about half of its six million residents and was to last for five days, although authorities have previously extended restrictions depending on the number of new cases. The Shenzhen district of Longhua, which has 2.5 million residents, closed entertainment venues and wholesale markets on Tuesday and suspended major events. Guangzhou, a city of nearly 19 million people near Hong Kong, reported just five locally transmitted infections on Tuesday, but authorities ordered some areas in one district to close indoor entertainment and restaurant dining until Saturday. The city also ordered all kindergartens and elementary, middle and high schools in the area to delay the restart of the new term and stop offline sessions that have already begun, according to state media reports on Wednesday. Bus and metro services in the area were also reduced. The shutdown came as data released on Wednesday showed more signs that China’s economy is being held back by its strict zero-Covid strategy. The purchasing managers’ index, a key indicator of manufacturing activity in the world’s second-largest economy, rose to 49.4 in August from 49.0 in July, but was still below the 50-point mark that separates growth from the shrinkage, according to the National Bureau said statistics. Sporadic Covid-19 lockdowns across China have dampened consumer enthusiasm and business confidence, while rising temperatures in large parts of the country this summer have led to power cuts at factories. “Markets could be hit again in the next two weeks, likely triggering another round of cuts by economists down the road,” Nomura warned in a note, highlighting the importance of cities such as Shenzhen, also a major port. Beijing has remained relatively unaffected, although travel in and out of the capital has been discouraged and residents are being tested on an almost daily basis. Some lockdowns were imposed in other cities such as Chengdu in the southwest, Shenyang in the northeast and Jishui in the southeast. China’s “zero Covid” policy contrasts with other countries’ gradual easing of restrictions combined with vaccinations, drugs and voluntary isolation. China has largely kept its borders closed to foreign visitors, requiring anyone to self-quarantine for more than a week in hotels where sanitation is often poor. Coverage and regular testing are standard, and close contacts can be forcibly transferred to rural hospitals. The World Health Organization called China’s policy unsustainable. On Monday, a Chinese think tank made a rare public show of dissent, saying the restrictions – which have shuttered cities and disrupted trade, travel and industry – must be changed to prevent an “economic standstill”. Anbound Research Center said President Xi Jinping’s government should focus on restoring growth like the United States, Europe and Japan. “Preventing the risk of economic disruption should be the priority task,” the thinktank said in a report titled It’s Time for China to Adjust Its Virus Control and Prevention Policies. Previous lockdowns have seen tens of millions confined to their homes, sometimes for weeks. A strict lockdown this week in the biggest city and commercial hub, Shanghai, has led to protests over a lack of food and medical services. China on Tuesday reported 1,717 cases of local transmission, 52 of them in Liaoning province where Dalian is located. Most cases were reported in Sichuan province, whose capital is Chengdu, and the majority were asymptomatic. With Associated Press, Reuters and Agence-France Presse.

title: “China Puts Millions Back Into Covid Lockdown As Economy Continues To Struggle China Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-23” author: “Scott Swenson”

The measures affected cities from the southern cities of Shenzhen and Guangzhou to the northern port of Dalian and from the western metropolis of Chengdu to Shijiazhuang in central Hebei province. The lockdown in Dalian was expected to affect about half of its six million residents and was to last for five days, although authorities have previously extended restrictions depending on the number of new cases. The Shenzhen district of Longhua, which has 2.5 million residents, closed entertainment venues and wholesale markets on Tuesday and suspended major events. Guangzhou, a city of nearly 19 million people near Hong Kong, reported just five locally transmitted infections on Tuesday, but authorities ordered some areas in one district to close indoor entertainment and restaurant dining until Saturday. The city also ordered all kindergartens and elementary, middle and high schools in the area to delay the restart of the new term and stop offline sessions that have already begun, according to state media reports on Wednesday. Bus and metro services in the area were also reduced. The shutdown came as data released on Wednesday showed more signs that China’s economy is being held back by its strict zero-Covid strategy. The purchasing managers’ index, a key indicator of manufacturing activity in the world’s second-largest economy, rose to 49.4 in August from 49.0 in July, but was still below the 50-point mark that separates growth from the shrinkage, according to the National Bureau said statistics. Sporadic Covid-19 lockdowns across China have dampened consumer enthusiasm and business confidence, while rising temperatures in large parts of the country this summer have led to power cuts at factories. “Markets could be hit again in the next two weeks, likely triggering another round of cuts by economists down the road,” Nomura warned in a note, highlighting the importance of cities such as Shenzhen, also a major port. Beijing has remained relatively unaffected, although travel in and out of the capital has been discouraged and residents are being tested on an almost daily basis. Some lockdowns were imposed in other cities such as Chengdu in the southwest, Shenyang in the northeast and Jishui in the southeast. China’s “zero Covid” policy contrasts with other countries’ gradual easing of restrictions combined with vaccinations, drugs and voluntary isolation. China has largely kept its borders closed to foreign visitors, requiring anyone to self-quarantine for more than a week in hotels where sanitation is often poor. Coverage and regular testing are standard, and close contacts can be forcibly transferred to rural hospitals. The World Health Organization called China’s policy unsustainable. On Monday, a Chinese think tank made a rare public show of dissent, saying the restrictions – which have shuttered cities and disrupted trade, travel and industry – must be changed to prevent an “economic standstill”. Anbound Research Center said President Xi Jinping’s government should focus on restoring growth like the United States, Europe and Japan. “Preventing the risk of economic disruption should be the priority task,” the thinktank said in a report titled It’s Time for China to Adjust Its Virus Control and Prevention Policies. Previous lockdowns have seen tens of millions confined to their homes, sometimes for weeks. A strict lockdown this week in the biggest city and commercial hub, Shanghai, has led to protests over a lack of food and medical services. China on Tuesday reported 1,717 cases of local transmission, 52 of them in Liaoning province where Dalian is located. Most cases were reported in Sichuan province, whose capital is Chengdu, and the majority were asymptomatic. With Associated Press, Reuters and Agence-France Presse.