**China’s Covid Zero Hardens Under Xi’s Sway as Shanghai Tightens Lockdown**
Under President Xi Jinping, China has enforced a zero-tolerance approach to Covid-19, suppressing every outbreak with a combination of mass testing, enforced isolation and severe travel restrictions. Now, as the highly transmissible omicron variant challenges that strategy, Xi is doubling down, signaling that eradicating the virus remains paramount, even as the economic and social costs mount. This resolve was evident on Friday as Shanghai, China’s most populous city, tightened its lockdown, confining millions of residents to their homes and indefinitely suspending public transportation.
A two-stage lockdown that began on Monday has been extended indefinitely, meaning that residents in the eastern half of Shanghai will be sealed off until further notice. Those in the west will face a similar fate starting Saturday. The city’s 26 million people are now banned from leaving their homes except for essential reasons such as seeking medical care. All businesses except those providing essential services, like grocery stores and pharmacies, have been ordered closed.
The lockdown is the most drastic measure taken in China since the initial outbreak in Wuhan in early 2020. It is a sign that Xi is willing to tolerate significant economic pain to maintain his zero-tolerance approach, even as other countries have begun to shift toward living with the virus. Xi has repeatedly touted the success of China’s Covid-Zero Covid policy, using it to justify his authoritarian rule. Giving up on that approach, even in the face of omicron’s transmissibility, would be seen as a major concession that could undermine his authority.
The decision to tighten the lockdown in Shanghai has been met with growing frustration and anger among residents. Many have complained about a lack of food and medical supplies, as well as the difficulty of getting essential services. On Friday, videos circulating on Chinese social media showed residents banging pots and pans from their balconies in protest. The protests are a rare display of public discontent in China, where dissent is quickly suppressed.
The lockdown in Shanghai is a stark reminder of the challenges facing China as it tries to maintain its zero-tolerance approach to Covid-19. The virus is continuing to spread, and there is no guarantee that China will be able to contain it without resorting to even more drastic measures. The economic and social costs of the lockdown are also mounting, and it is unclear how long the Chinese people will be willing to tolerate them.
Xi’s determination to stick to his zero-tolerance approach is a reflection of his increasingly authoritarian rule. He has centralized power in his own hands and has cracked down on dissent. Xi sees the Covid-19 pandemic as an opportunity to further consolidate his control over the country.
However, the lockdown in Shanghai is also a sign of Xi’s vulnerability. He is betting that the Chinese people will continue to support his zero-tolerance approach, even as the costs mount. If the public’s patience runs out, Xi could face a serious challenge to his authority.
The lockdown in Shanghai is a major test for Xi and for China. It will determine whether Xi can maintain his zero-tolerance approach to Covid-19 and whether he can continue to consolidate his power. The outcome will have a profound impact on the future of China..
