Josef Gregory Mahoney

Opinion | Why science, not ideology, is guiding China’s Covid-19 policy

Beijing argues it has put people over profits and saved millions of lives. It is risking popular displeasure because many citizens still remain vulnerable and unvaccinated

While the US could see up to 100 million new cases this year, China is focused on keeping the Omicron surge at bay while building testing capacity ahead of the next wave

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Josef Gregory Mahoney

Published: 8:45am, 18 May 2022

It has become a bubbling, meme-like refrain on social media in China and beyond that the nation’s zero-Covid policies are the result of leftist and even Maoist ideological excesses, from the very top leadership down to the juweihui, or “neighbourhood committees”, tasked with local implementation, and sometimes doing so in ways that exceed their authority.

The frustrations are understandable. The lockdowns have put tens of millions under physical and emotional duress. One cannot “lie flat” or “stand up”. “Silence” is required, criticism is censored. Many are unable to work from home and struggling financially.

Even areas not under strict controls are affected, suffering economic disruptions to increasing anxiety that they might soon face the same fate.

Nevertheless, Beijing insists its policies are based on science, not ideology. It acknowledges the tremendous social and economic costs, but argues it has put people over profits and saved millions of lives. Indeed, while the controls have put a significant drag on growth rates, most of China is still seeing growth.

Further, Shanghai’s case fatality rates are considerably lower than those in Hong Kong and especially in the United States. Even the controversial fangcangs, or quarantine centres, have not only curtailed community spread but served as triage centres for more serious cases.

However, in addition to the economic costs and growing unhappiness in locked-down areas, shifting international policies and perspectives are putting pressure on Beijing’s approach.