Xi Jinping warns people for questioning China's zero-COVID policy

On Thursday, Chinese President Xi Jinping convened a conference of top leaders, emphasizing the importance of the country's "dynamic zero-COVID" strategy and warning of economic consequences.

As severe, regular lockdowns stoke public anger and hit the Chinese economy, China's top leader Xi Jinping has issued the harshest warning against anyone who challenges the country's zero-COVID policy.

The governing Communist Party's supreme Politburo Standing Committee pledged to abide by the stated guideline of 'dynamic zero-COVID' unwaveringly and firmly combat any words and actions that misrepresent, suspect, or reject the country's pandemic safety guidelines.


This is the first time since the public outcry over Shanghai's draconian lockdown that Xi, who gave a meaningful address at the summit, has publicly announced remarks about China's fight against COVID. The Standing Committee also asked that subordinates have a deep, thorough, and extensive awareness of the central leadership's policies.

The group also declared that they aim to tackle the difficulties of insufficient awareness, preparation, labor, disdain, disinterest, and consciousness in thinking. According to specialists who have followed Chinese politics for a long time, the severe warning indicates that there has been internal opposition to Xi's zero-COVID policy within the party.

Many Shanghai residents have gone to social media in the last five weeks to ask for help and vent their frustrations about severe food shortages and lack of access to medical treatment. Some people screamed and banged pots and pans from their windows, while others fought with police and health workers on the streets, an unusual sight in a country where dissent is often stifled.

Emergency lockdowns due to the spread of Omicron

As Omicron spreads across China, more local governments are ordering emergency lockdowns due to a few isolated incidents. Many in Beijing fear a Shanghai-style lockdown as officials impose tighter restrictions after more than 500 cases have been reported since April 20.

However, the latest announcement from China's senior officials makes it evident that the government will continue to rely on quick lockdowns, mass testing, and quarantine to combat the highly transmissible Omicron form for the foreseeable future.