China has begun signaling a shift in its long-standing approach to the virus by easing some of the most stringent controls, a move that looks like a controlled reset rather than a full reversal. After years of zero-COVID, the country appears to be stepping onto a new path that opens toward broader social and economic activity, while acknowledging that living with the virus is now part of daily life for many people.
In recent days, authorities have faced a rapid rise in cases and have responded with a mix of deadlines, relaxations, and cautious steps. Guangzhou, a major southern hub, reported a record number of infections and saw curfews and mass-testing efforts scaled back in several districts after a late-night decision. Shanghai followed with a softening of restrictions, lifting lockdowns in 24 districts even while some areas remained labeled high risk. Central China’s Chongqing is expected to follow a similar pattern, and Beijing has been watched closely as an emblem of the shift. The capital, historically resistant to large outbreaks, reportedly surpassed a daily case threshold of several thousand, prompting a debate about whether more stringent measures would be required. Today the authorities announced a policy that would permit asymptomatic cases to stay at home under quarantine if they agree to comply, with electronic monitoring at the door to ensure adherence.
new variants
Policy discussions and public sentiment are moving in tandem. Vice President Sun Chunlan has consistently emphasized a pragmatic stance toward the virus since the earliest days of the outbreak in Wuhan. In places like Hainan, Chengdu, and Shanghai, officials have prioritized rapid response and practical containment, while populations rushed to grocery stores in anticipation of curfews or other restrictions. State media has framed the current phase as a transition rather than a retreat, highlighting that new variants call for calibrated measures rather than panic. The tone from official channels stresses that the health system is adapting to evolving conditions and that the public should expect a steadier routine rather than sudden, sweeping shocks.
The government has set an ambitious vaccination target for the elderly to reduce mortality: aiming for 90% of people over 80 to receive both doses by the end of February, according to Caixin, a widely cited industry source. A two-month plan would ideally complete many of the vaccination efforts that began years ago. The challenge remains the comparatively lower vaccination rate in older groups, which has complicated policy design and execution. Local authorities have shouldered much of the logistical work, sometimes with less experience than the center, a dynamic that mirrors the broader administration’s imported lessons from past campaigns. In the background, historical policy patterns that rewarded local obedience to Beijing have played a role in how measures are rolled out across diverse provinces.
What remains clear is a broad willingness to pursue a practical, phased framework against the virus. The current stance appears shaped by several forces: the recognition that new variants spread with high speed, public pressure from protests and daily life disruptions, and a strategic judgment that eliminating coexistence entirely is neither feasible nor desirable. China seems to be entering a new chapter after three years of aggressive efforts to suppress transmission, with a focus on sustainable containment, vaccination, and targeted public health interventions rather than blanket, all-or-nothing policies.