Zero-Covid

Diversified trading partners, supply chain helped; many economists think recession will not hit Malaysia and it can also weather Ukraine war storm

China’s business environment has become increasingly tumultuous, but foreign multinationals are intent on standing their ground, come hell or high water.

Until last year, China’s zero-Covid policy had won much support from its citizens. When western countries such as the US and the UK recorded hundreds of thousands of deaths and millions of infections, the ruling Communist party used the opportunity to emphasise the virtues of its system of government.

It’s not exactly clear how much Covid-19 spread and death the most extreme measures have actually prevented. (Official reports claim there have been 400,000 cases in the city of 28 million.)

Two years into China’s stringent zero-covid strategy, the country is finally refining its approach. But a remark from president Xi Jinping is a reminder that China is not backing away from zero-covid completely.