Several other cities across China were also racing to smother outbreaks early, once again raising concerns about China’s economic growth outlook and potential disruptions to supply chains and international trade.
The efforts, which have fuelled frustration among Chinese in a sensitive year for the ruling Communist Party, are part of China’s “zero COVID” strategy to eradicate any outbreaks as soon as they occur, despite the great costs incurred.
Premier Li Keqiang was quoted by state media on Thursday as saying that the world’s second-largest economy was recovering from the supply shocks incurred while fighting COVID-19 earlier this year, “but the foundation is unstable”.
China is facing geopolitical headwinds, a property market downturn, and rising borrowing costs in most of its export markets, and some analysts say its growth target of around 5.5 per cent this year may be out of reach.
President Xi Jinping, who is expected to secure a precedent-breaking third term later this year, has said China should not treat the virus as endemic as much of the world now does, as that would put many lives at risk.