.IChotiner speaks with an expert on China and international affairs about what distinguishes the current protests against Xi Jinping’s COVID policies from previous movements against the Communist regime.
in at least a generation. He has also centralized control in the Party leadership, which now consists almost entirely of his allies. But his “zerofrom the virus, has also brought large areas of the country to a virtual standstill—and has now sparked the most dissent of his decade-long tenure.
Why do you think that the Chinese Communist Party and Xi Jinping pursued this policy so strenuously? Why was there this seemingly extraordinary seriousness around the idea of “zeroThe first reason is that this policy is so closely associated with Xi Jinping himself, which makes it very difficult to undertake any radical shifts or dramatic changes. Second, of course, is that those further down the administrative ladder in the Chinese system want to please their superiors.
Look at the direction a lot of countries took initially as a response to the pandemic. A number of countries in the Asia-Pacific really tried to close the borders and attempted savage lockdowns: Australia, New Zealand, andI think the problem for China was threefold. First, their rural health system is extremely weak. Had infections taken off in the countryside, the health system would’ve been totally overwhelmed and unable to cope, and I think we would’ve been looking at millions of deaths.
I understand the vaccine nationalism, but, given the alternatives, why not just take the P.R. hit and buy Western vaccines? In 1989, there was a fundamental critique of the rule of the Chinese Communist Party and a push against the corruption that vested interests were participating in. And, eventually, that evolved into calls for a more democratic system. Although there have been some slogans about Xi Jinping stepping down, and people in the Party stepping down, the current protests don’t seem to translate into a critique of the way the system works.
Local officials feeling the heat from above are going to move much more quickly to impose a lockdown than perhaps they might have fifteen years ago. One of the keys ways China can move beyond a policy of such randomness is by allowing more flexible responses for local officials to deal with outbreaks.
México Últimas Noticias, México Titulares
Similar News:También puedes leer noticias similares a ésta que hemos recopilado de otras fuentes de noticias.
China's Biggest Protests in Decades - The Journal. - WSJ PodcastsAfter years of strict Covid restrictions, people are taking to the streets in cities across China. But they’re not just protesting zero-Covid, they’re voicing displeasure with Xi Jinping himself. WSJ’s Brian Spegele gives us an inside view of the protests rocking China. Further Reading: -China’s Surveillance State Pushes Deeper Into Citizens’ Lives -Much of China Locks Down With No End to Zero Covid in Sight -Chinese Protests Spread Over Government’s Covid Restrictions Further Listening: -How Xi Jinping's Dream Slowed China's Economy
Leer más »
China Plans To Boost Vaccinations Among Seniors As Harsh Zero Covid Strategy Triggers ProtestsOnly around 65% of people over the age of 80 have been fully vaccinated in China, with the uptake of booster doses being even lower at around 40%.
Leer más »
Shanghai Disneyland closes again over China COVID restrictionsDisneyland Shanghai is temporarily closing for the third time this year as the country continues to battle the rise of coronavirus cases. There is no date for reopening as of yet.
Leer más »
As China grapples with rare protests, Shanghai Disneyland shuts over Covid curbs once again | CNN BusinessShanghai Disneyland has been closed again because of China's Covid restrictions, just days after reopening following a previous pandemic-related closure.
Leer más »
China eases COVID rules after protests, keeps wider strategyChinese authorities eased some anti-virus rules but affirmed their severe 'zero COVID' strategy Monday after protesters demanded President Xi Jinping resign in the biggest show of opposition to the ruling Communist Party in decades.
Leer más »