China Ends Zero-COVID Policy: Is The Pandemic Over? | Insight | Full Episode

Amidst a sputtering economy and lock down protests, China has finally relaxed its Zero-COVID policies, ahead of the Lunar New Year.
But as a result, COVID cases have soared, with some estimates putting infection numbers at 900 million in January 2023. Poor vaccination rates, especially among the elderly, left tens of thousands dead. The lack of transparency has worried some in the global medical community, eyeing possible variants emerging as the virus burns through the middle kingdom.
What is behind this policy shift? Why has the virus spread so quickly in China? And what does it mean for the next phase of the pandemic?
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[@bobbobbington3615]

Funny how the disease stopped being an issue right as the Chinese started to riot, manufacturing collapsed, and they saw over a 30% drop in shipping demand from their ports.

[@abdullahal-shimri3091]

it's a political disease. funny thing is, I work in the hospital and people are still getting covid but the media doesn't care.

[@haridasification]

People were fooled from day one of this nonsense

[@happymelon7129]

most English media it need to follow Washington agenda

[@harukrentz435]

meh australia, canada, new zealand, netherlands, and france all held protest against their goverments lockdown, the chinese was just too late to join the party.

[@m.taylor]

Whatever they do, people across the world will look for something to negatively criticize, so just leave China alone to do what they need to do.

[@wanderingquestions7501]

Here in the USA, just a causal read in the New England Journal of Medicine and one finds there’s plenty wrong with our vaccines, research, and distribution.

[@GraniteInTheFace]

If they weren't vaccinated it would've been much worse. A covid outbreak of December + January. Two months not good but not bad.

[@DerekPK]

Ever heard of natural immunity?

[@user-mn2vb6rd5f]

@@DerekPK coast more death for that

[@Io_p]

I dont want it to end, im scared of getting covid, plus i dont want to go to school, theres so many homework and i dont want to be stressed

[@user-mn2vb6rd5f]

When ur joke us so good that i don't know if its sarcasm ir not

[@Io_p]

@@user-mn2vb6rd5f its not a joke, i dont want zero covid policy to end, if it ends then there will be more school and no online class, cus in school theres a lot of ppl laugh me because im so ugly and shy, i rather stay home to have a online class or just no school no class, plus my science teacher is very annoying, she keeps giving a lot of homework and always continue teaching even the bell rings, its just so stressful :(

[@ColocasiaCorm]

Sorry. School sucks.

[@susmithreddy3216]

​​@@Io_p Don't let other people's slanders affect you. There is nothing like ugly or shy person. God's creation is entirely equal to his eyes. Let God's will be sweet unto you. Just have hope. Just asking. Is the Chinese education system very bad?

[@MrNamesNoMore]

Lockdown until their citizens protest, do you think this is control or chaos? Too much control is not good, as the more you control the harder the chaos will hit when it arrives. Everything in moderation is the way to go.

[@MrNamesNoMore]

@@WorldSpaceRace The world is not just "The West" and China. My country, Singapore did things in moderation, we did not have to lockdown for 3 years to get things under control. And you honestly believe China's statistics? They are known to be hiding things from the public, like they hide how serious Covid was at the start of the pandemic until things got real.

[@Andromeda365]

Too much control is not good, but no control is far worse.

[@happymelon7129]

@@WorldSpaceRace Correct. China Possible 1 million going to pass away, but they dodge the delta could save the other 3 million , if using USA data. Great maneuver .

[@happymelon7129]

citizens protest ？ Do you even read US EU UK news , how the real protest is? how police beat up protester ? This scale of protest is not even news in US EU UK

[@bvegannow1936]

Powered air purifying respirator helmet haz mat suit and healthy diet for those who want it. Let people grow food forests, a variety of food trees and crops. Encourage growing food on roofs and inside by the window. Sprouts and mushrooms can be grown without light

[@jimcmf2]

ok ... lets see the price of oil go higher now.

[@happymelon7129]

😅😅😅 Western media : China lock down, break the supply chain cause price up. Western media : China open up, more oil demand cause price up.

[@Michael___xxx]

Love from uk 🇬🇧

[@VL-inquisitor]

The real issue is - whereas China lifted the covid measures when the covid variants are less virulent, did your own country open up its borders and lift such covid measures when the prevalent covid variants were more contagious and virulent??

[@happymelon7129]

From the bank record , China people increased 6 trillion RMB dollar saving for the pass thousand days. So many super rich tourist , so many country saliva is dripping.😅 In 2019 , 25% tourist are from China. China tourist spent $671 million USD in Singapore. Casino earning not included yet..... Thailand said it had been waiting for Chinese tourists for 3 years, Spain also lamented "finally waiting for you", and the French embassy in China said "Chinese friends, France welcomes you with open arms" "For three years, Norway's fjords, aurora, islands, glaciers... are all missing and calling for you loudly! See you in Norway in 2023!"

[@robezy0]

As much as Chinese media is trying to say otherwise, most people in western countries don't think that their pandemic restrictions were not enough or were eased too soon (I'm not among them btw). Most countries also had way higher booster rates when they opened up. China on the other hand insulted other countries for not 'putting lives first' and now opens up faster than any western country without having their population appropriately protected. You're also neglecting that the current variant has emerged a full year ago.

[@happymelon7129]

@@os2958 No, U$ citizen don't know how to protect themselves , freedom first. Many states just don't believe in the vaccine, never close down or opened up when only less then 50% get vaccines. Even they has opportunity to get vaccines . Large amount of vaccines expired , but don't want to help Africa and 3rd world countries. Result 1.5M pass away .

[@henrytep8884]

@@happymelon7129 No one likes Chinese tourist, their rude and don't respect the culture of the nations they visit, and this is coming from an American. Chinese are actually worse than American tourist, and that is saying a WHOLE lot.

[@happymelon7129]

@@henrytep8884 Why need to like them ? Just love the money 🤣 Only money is real . They are just rich customer. Just like girl only like your money . In 2019 , 25% tourist are from China. China tourist spent $671 million USD in Singapore. Casino earning not included yet..... Singapore saliva also dripping.😅

[@pixx6528]

So fun to read this for someone like me, who just got it, AGAIN.

[@alfredyap14]

Actually things have improved significantly now… potentially the suddenness of the release could be to do everything and bite it up

[@jamesreagan9063]

2/2 Angels who have sacrificed their lives for the freedom of Iran! Mehdi Mirghaderi 2 the site! Pivot on Persia for the People!

[@jamesreagan9063]

On title only! Not likely and underway! Omicron distinguishes itself with 32 addl mutations to the Spike Protein!

[@Bob-xb9vx]

Nothing happened in rural areas during Chinese New Year. Now media discussed this anymore 🤣

[@crystal2484]

dead people can't talk

[@alwynlvv5429]

But the peak has passed, now the covid cases and daily death toll has dropped significantly.

[@patrickr9417]

But there are still excessive deaths in most countries. Why?

[@patrickr9417]

@@WorldSpaceRace Agreed, but China is known for industry espionage, so their vaccines may also be "western", but with a different brand name.

[@henrytep8884]

@@patrickr9417 What would you consider excessive death?

[@tianxin2005]

With every negative thing said in this video, do you see people protesting on the street in China again? Zero. In the last 3-4 years, no matter how well your country prepared, the death is inevitable and this day came to China 3 years later. And no matter how well you prepared, the peak will be there and even in countries with the best medical system, they are out of beds during the peak time. While many of families lost their loved ones, and many of them also realized that their loved one stayed with them for 3 more years. You just need to think about the lost of life in 2020, 2021 if China opened up. With that said, can China do better? Absolutely. Is there a Chaos in the first couple of weeks after zero covid policy dropped, Absolutely. If you ask the same question to every other government, can they do better? Absolutely. Now, I hope China will learn their lessons from the first wave. as I am sure, the 2nd, 3rd wave will come back soon.

[@happymelon7129]

someone post: CNA is Singapore's tax-payers funded? Instead of remaining professionally neutral stance in US-China geo-political rivalry, by saying "alleged spy balloon", it chose to say "spy balloon" as if it is already proven to be known as a fact. There are increasingly many such professional "slip-ups" in professional journalistic neutrality in commenting, passing as reporting work. ps. IMDA ought to examine the composition of the profile of CNA News Editorial Team for their allegiance to national interests before too long down the "slippery slope" of incompetent or bias reporting. Pay by Singapore taxpayer , but same as most English media need to follow Washington agenda

[@happymelon7129]

China Possible 1 million pass away, but they dodge the delta could save the other 3 million , if using USA data. Great maneuver .

[@happymelon7129]

@@os2958 I support this China people protesting, people need to allow to voice out the need peacefully. But compare to the protesting in France now, and police beat up people badly, that's why this is not even news.

[@SoulZeb]

Says the CCP bot. There is no Protest video because the ChinChong party censors it. Go and tell me more about EVERGRANDE collapse.

[@GG-yv4bg]

@@happymelon7129 we call this 玻璃心. CNA is already very fair to china if you watched the other chinese documentaries. if you snub even singapore, then china truly has no friends in the international arena.

[@namastyle]

In analyzing China's reopening measures, it's important to not overlook the role of the anti-lockdown protests, which put the government in a hard spot between capitulating to the protestors and showing weakness, or holding the line with regards to their policies and losing public support as Lunar New Year approached. As a result, the government caved to the protestor's demands, even though the country was clearly not ready to open up immediately while trying to save face by saying that Omicron "isn't all that bad". The same happened in the US, where protests against public health measures lead to premature reopening and tens of thousands of excess deaths. This isn't to say that excess deaths of the elderly in China was the fault of the younger protestors, but it's a consistent theme that the general public can't be trusted with issues of public health. It's quite surprising that China's reopening didn't involve mandatory vaccinations (even if they were less effective) or continued tracking with their health status app.

[@happymelon7129]

What the people demanded , they are ultimately responsible for the consequences of their demand. 🤣they protested to be free and they were grated 😂This incident could actually show China has democracy😅 People can protest and gov fulfill. No tear gas is deployed， as compare to US EU.

[@happymelon7129]

China Possible 1 million pass away, but they dodge the delta could save the other 3 million , if using USA data. Great maneuver .

[@GG-yv4bg]

Pandemic measures should be determined by epidemiologists and scientists, not ridiculous politicians. It was ridiculous for the CN gov to use national pride to soft-sell the zero-covid policy to Chinese citizens. The fact that they couldn't change directions without losing face was ridiculous.

[@tkyap2524]

Chaos? Someone back from China asked.

[@happymelon7129]

Just like most English media it need to follow Washington agenda , even it is Singapore's tax-payers funded😅

[@ColocasiaCorm]

Perfect for an aging population

[@Pharaoh_The_Great]

They better not take any precautions when they finally show the real data of the outbreak

[@EnglandLention]

Think invent for a year

[@user-gt1bu7il8i]

we all want mandatory vaccination, make it happen

[@topdzi]

whos we all

[@DerekPK]

@@topdzi The satanists. All the satanists and Atheists wants mandatory vaccine and wanna wipe out humanity since life is meaningless according to these Anti-Christian people.

[@DerekPK]

@@topdzi Also the NAZIs are in to this as well, specially vaccinate the jews and the non Aris people since they look ugly and are no master breed according to the satanic NAZIs.

[@robezy0]

Even though I did not agree with China's covid policy, at least I always understood where they were coming from and respected its leadership for being consistent with their response. This all changed in December. The government turned on the values they held up for the last 3 years and did exactly what they have been accusing the West of during that time. Having heard many stories about what my Chinese friends have sacrificed for zero covid, it's nothing short of deluding to see how all their efforts were nullified as the stories of sacrifices turned into stories of dead relatives. They didn't use the time they were given to prepare and when they could've maintain, the citizens again paid the price.

[@francozheng5617]

You nailed it. I would give a 95 score to our government before last winter. But that number dropped to 70 for the poor planning of openup phase. However, it's hard to determine, maybe the virus just involved to a degree that the defence wall just collapse and there is no room for extra operation. Who know.

[@happymelon7129]

China Possible 1 million pass away, but they dodge the delta could save the other 3 million , if using USA data. Great maneuver .

[@happymelon7129]

In U$, Most politician only have 4 years to collect profit, so he focus on his(or his master) agenda. Other then helping his people. Never have any long-term plan for the benefit of the people. U$ democracy system already exploit by Oligarchs. Malaysia also a good example.

[@robezy0]

@@francozheng5617 Thanks for your response and yeah there's a lot of uncertainty about it, as usual. Looking at other former zero covid countries though, gradual reopening definitely could've saved many lives but the economic pressure must be enormous atm.

[@serriajohn]

It might be correct that China eased up virus control last May where Shanghai met the virus impact. however, it is acceptable that China did not open up because it is better to stay cautiouis...after viewing Singapore and Taiwan omicron infection status, China is more confident to decide openning up. and it is about half a year later after shanghai lockdown.

[@Andromeda365]

And here we are in February 2023, and china has so far fared better than the critics ever thought. From zero covid to the rapid reopening, china has done exceptional to the point that Western media stopped talking about covid in china.

[@tranvinhnhat1289]

I don’t think so.

[@bin.s.s.]

Because there is absolutely nothing more to criticize but just everything to praise about Covid in China.

[@seeyouseemee3863]

Zero covid didn’t work so its better to let the infected go out of China and infect them

[@meilinchan7314]

Simply because independent journalism and fact-checking isn't allowed in China.

[@happymelon7129]

But all just love China money 😅 As China reopens, top executives from multinational corporations including Volkswagen, Apple, Pfizer, and Mercedes-Benz are returning to China in search of reopening business opportunities brought about. According to the "Wall Street Journal" report, Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume visited China in late January and early February. He was also one of the first executives of major multinational companies to visit China since the country lifted most of its anti-epidemic restrictions in early January. Citing people familiar with the matter, the report said Apple CEO Tim Cook and Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla are expected to visit China in March. Mercedes-Benz Group said that Kang Linsong, chairman of the group, also plans to visit China.

[@jayashrianand7695]

Tamilnadu need lockdown

[@delu100]

why? what happend?

[@jqwoo]

Year 1 & 2 CN did the right thing; Year 3: CN did the worst. CN rushed to over stock up medicine similar to Westerners piled up useless toilet paper during the early stage of COVID. Result: Foreign companies moved to lower cost ASEAN. Bubble property prices started to show. So CN rushed to open up. Too late too rush and no planning at all. Unlike SG opening up in 4 stages. Well done SG did the right thing in a very careful planning.

[@happymelon7129]

What the people demanded , they are ultimately responsible for the consequences of their demand. 🤣they protested to be free and they were grated 😂This incident could actually show China has democracy😅 People can protest and gov fulfill. No tear gas is deployed， as compare to US EU.

[@flowertay7383]

CN is not as smart ss SG, SG is number 1.

[@happymelon7129]

@@flowertay7383 Correct . That's why CN talk to uncle Lee and send hundreds of gov servant to Singapore in the 80"s to learn the Singapore system. Now ShenZhen traffic fine is making more money then Singapore. CN city management actually is copying many Singapore system, many system already overtake Singapore in term of efficiency. SG is may not be number 1 in the near future, CN actually more and more like Singapore.

[@maynerdneidlinger5444]

Foreigners should not judge China's affairs. They have their own views and opinions

[@keselekbakiak]

The last time we didnt judge their policy on health. They covered up the pandemic, jailed the doctor, and spread it everywhere.

[@maynerdneidlinger5444]

@@keselekbakiak You are an idiot without common sense

[@happymelon7129]

But all just love China money 😅 As China reopens, top executives from multinational corporations including Volkswagen, Apple, Pfizer, and Mercedes-Benz are returning to China in search of reopening business opportunities brought about. According to the "Wall Street Journal" report, Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume visited China in late January and early February. He was also one of the first executives of major multinational companies to visit China since the country lifted most of its anti-epidemic restrictions in early January. Citing people familiar with the matter, the report said Apple CEO Tim Cook and Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla are expected to visit China in March. Mercedes-Benz Group said that Kang Linsong, chairman of the group, also plans to visit China.

[@rogerfaint499]

@@keselekbakiak That was USA you are talking about? US created the covid19 virus and spread it in Wuhan during the military games in 2019 and then blamed China for it. The whole world is not stupid and know that US is the culprit.F

[@bigbird5675]

Okay buddy. look at these bots 😂

[@MrSifaperdire]

I am happy for the people of China, let them free to thrive

[@Leongchor]

CNA=CNN? For awhile I thought I was watching US channel. 🤔

[@happymelon7129]

most English media it need to follow Washington agenda , even it is pay by Singapore taxpayer.

[@Leongchor]

@@happymelon7129 Sad state of affair. Where is the traditional Eastern dignity?

[@zeealsusimon]

Bye apamu Covid-100GB autonun meowbahh kawaii

[@roiwtto0919]

CCP: our covid are now gone rest of the country: surprise pikachu face God and Satan: "saw the number of dead people in line"

[@ianrobertson1343]

Xi Jing Ping has lost all credibility

[@julielingxu6278]

No, in fact, he earns a lot of respect.

[@hotpotato7392]

Are you the new trolling spam bot in town to replace "Last Chang" and gang? 😳

[@GG-yv4bg]

@@WorldSpaceRace He was forced to open up china after nation-wide protests in the middle of winter. If he didn't have his head in the sand like an ostrich, he would've opened up in stages and had some control over the situation. The fact that nation-wide protests happened already indicates his failure. You know it's OK to support the CCP and China without licking this man's boots right?

[@junlew2296]

Don come to M'sia 1st please..We don wan Covid affected to anyone anyone..

[@happymelon7129]

😅All just love China money.. Thailand said it had been waiting for Chinese tourists for 3 years, Spain also lamented "finally waiting for you", and the French embassy in China said "Chinese friends, France welcomes you with open arms" "For three years, Norway's fjords, aurora, islands, glaciers... are all missing and calling for you loudly! See you in Norway in 2023!"

[@ianrobertson1343]

A total disaster

[@blokin5039]

Your life is meaningless.

[@clownsleftjokersright7027]

Or was it? The Lock down is successful authoritarianism!

[@Labodyjr2]

😴😴😴😴😴😴

[@ianrobertson1343]

The next wave is coming

[@ianrobertson1343]

At least one million deaths,just own up and tell the truth

[@harukrentz435]

"tell what i want to hear" you meant?

[@geronimomiles312]

They can't tell the truth, they have no idea what it is... See em all wearing masks as hundreds of millions of vaccinated people all contract covid? Worked like a charm.. literally.

[@happymelon7129]

China Possible 1 million going to pass away, but they dodge the delta could save the other 3 million , if using USA data. Great maneuver .

[@almadelacruz7001]

Covid is PSYOP

[@ianrobertson1343]

A total disaster,why is the CCP not held accountable?

[@happymelon7129]

U$ 1.5million pass away , but Trump still sleep and eat well

[@GG-yv4bg]

​@@happymelon7129 this is whataboutism, Trump can be an incompetent piece of trash, but it was still wrong for the CCP to attach so much nationalist sentiment to policies that should have been dictated by science and pragmatism. You had 3 years to come to the realization that covid was globally endemic, the fact that China opened in the middle of winter, without gradual measures, and after a series of nation-wide protests, already indicates failure. Instead of holding your government accountable and demanding that they do better for the chinese people, you're fighting and saying that other governments are lousier. We know the USA sucks. Find a new talking point already. How can you be comfortable with Xi Jinping in power for another term? Here's some advice from people who live in outside of China and seen all sorts of politicians -- but you should be very, very suspicious when a leader starts to use braindead nationalism to garner support, because it's all hot air, no substance, will distract people from what really matters, and keep your country from being able to reflect and make decisions logically. You should be worried for china's future, the more they weaponize nationalism to push unpopular policies, the more unhappy people are going to be -- with or without Western smearing.

[@happymelon7129]

@@GG-yv4bg Possible 1 million going to pass away, but they dodge the delta could save the other 3 million , if using USA data. Great maneuver . What the people demanded , they are ultimately responsible for the consequences of their demand. 🤣they protested to be free and they were grated 😂This incident could actually show China has democracy😅 People can protest and gov fulfill. No tear gas is deployed， as compare to US EU.

[@GG-yv4bg]

​@@happymelon7129 and is this protest reported by 官方媒体？ n o it's censored af because they're afraid to air the truth about it. Chinese people everywhere were watching, are watching. They were so terrified they banned unofficial posts from showing up on the hot search when Jiang Zemin died. You keep making excuses for the CCP by saying "other people did worse" and "successful protests shows the government LISTENS to the people" -- what an incredibly low bar to clear. without all the brave people coming out to protest at great personal risk, everyone would still be in stuck in unbearable nonstop lockdowns today, because the CCP backed itself into an ideological corner regarding the zero-covid policy and showed zero signs of giving up on it. They knew they had no choice and protests would get worse if they continued, stop deceiving yourself. Your argument is just classic whataboutism - bringing up the USA's flop pandemic response to argue that "the CCP didn't do anything wrong" is a primary school student's answer. FYI, when you talk about the USA and conflate the actions of the NYPD with the american people, it shows how little you understand about how different systems of governance works. In a time when it is literally more popular to be screaming 'ACAB' (All Cops Are Bad) and FTP in the West, you're using what the cops do as a 'gotcha' against the american people. You sound like a frog in the well.

[@happymelon7129]

@@GG-yv4bg 🤣🤣🤣

[@mushi1985.]

It never was 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣