As leaders meet, Chinese hope for end to ‘zero-COVID’ limits

By EMILY WANG and TIAN JI
Associated Press

BEIJING (AP) — China is doubling down on its at times draconian “zero-COVID” policies, even as the population may have wished for a hint at the Communist Party’s congress that the rules would be eased. Many residents have resigned themselves to lining up several times a week for virus tests, restrictions on their travels, and the ever-present possibility of a community lockdown. Leader Xi Jinping praised “zero-COVID” as a “tremendous achievement” and state media touted the effectiveness of the approach. While the measures have bred simmering discontent and even rare public protests, analysts aren’t surprised the restrictions will continue. They say China still needs better vaccine protection across its population and that any changes will be gradual.