COVID digest: Shanghai starts China’s biggest lockdown since 2020
29 March 2022 |
10:40 am
China has imposed a COVID lockdown on half of its largest city and financial capital, Shanghai. Meanwhile, Israeli PM Bennett has tested positive for COVID-19.
Related
23 Feb
Hong Kong is facing its toughest test yet in its "Dynamic Zero Covid" strategy. The number of cases this year is now higher than the number of infections seen in both 2020 and 2021. The city's health system is under pressure, suffering from a lack of hospital beds, inadequate testing capacities and over-strained quarantine centers. But the health crisis is turning political. For more on this, we turn to Jean-Pierre Cabestan, a political scientist at Hong Kong Baptist University.
24 Feb
Experts say Beijing wants to avoid overtly taking sides, while looking for divisions in how Western countries respond to Russian aggression.
28 Feb
China has paid lip service to respecting the "territorial integrity" of Ukraine but has so far refused to call Russia's invasion what it is. Beijing could soon be forced to make an uncomfortable decision.
2 Mar
Former defense officials from the administrations of George W. Bush and Barack Obama visited Taiwan. The delegation arrived amid fears Russia's Ukraine invasion could spark China's geopolitical ambitions for the island.
5 Mar
The world was shocked when the Omicron variant was discovered in South Africa last year. But life is almost back to normal there. The government has lifted most lockdown restrictions, and tourists are flocking back.
3 Mar
Senior Chinese officials asked their Russian counterparts not to invade Ukraine during the Olympics. Western intelligence picked up reports of the communications.
4 Mar
This week, we're focusing on the consequences of Russia's war in Ukraine for Asian powers. The conflict calls into question China and India's close ties to Moscow and could affect other disputed areas like Taiwan and Kashmir. We take a closer look and speak to Professor Steve Tsang from SOAS University of London. We also hear from our New Delhi correspondent Edward Haywood.
13 Mar
While Western leaders hope China will play a more active role in mediating between Russia and Ukraine, experts say it's unlikely that Beijing will jeopardize its warming ties with Moscow.
16 Mar
Stock markets in Shanghai and Hong Kong slumped on Tuesday, as investors fear the impact of the latest Covid-19 lockdowns on China's economy. Nearly 30 million people are now living under restrictions in the country, including in the technology manufacturing hub of Shenzen. Also today, Volkswagen has suspended production of vehicles at some plants in Germany over a shortage of parts that are supplied from Ukraine.
15 Mar
Volkswagen, key Apple suppliers and other factories shut down their operations as China grapples with record COVID-19 cases. Meanwhile, France lifted restrictions.
16 Mar
Stock markets in Shanghai and Hong Kong slumped on Tuesday, as investors fear the impact of the latest Covid-19 lockdowns on China's economy. Nearly 30 million people are now living under restrictions in the country, including in the technology manufacturing hub of Shenzen. Also today, Volkswagen has suspended production of vehicles at some plants in Germany over a shortage of parts that are supplied from Ukraine.
19 Mar
How far is China willing to go to support Russia amid its war in Ukraine? Washington has warned there will be consequences if Beijing offers financial assistance or military support to Moscow. Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping may have pledged a no limits relationship, but there is a cost to standing up together to their joint rival: America. Regardless, the war provides China with a case study of Western resolve, and an opportunity to learn from Russia's mistakes.
Latest
5 hours ago
Find these stories and much more when you grab a copy of The Guardian on Wednesday.
8 hours ago
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is in Niger, continuing a three-country tour of Africa. One of the main motivations is that Germany is interested in new sources of energy. We get analysis from Dr. Douglas Yates of the American Graduate School in Paris. Also, as Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is sworn in as president of Somalia, we take a look at the challenges ahead for him. Elsewhere, it's been a year since the explosion of Mount Nyiragongo near Goma in eastern DR Congo, with many still homeless as a result.
8 hours ago
Austria is dropping its mask wearing mandate for the time being — but expects the measure to be reintroduced after the summer. Swedish officials are also preparing for a new infection spike in autumn. Follow DW for more.
10 hours ago
British coin producer, The Royal Mint, unveiled its £5 coin on Monday (May 23) engraved with Prince William's portrait, in honour of the Duke of Cambridge's 40th birthday on June 21.
10 hours ago
Where do you get oil and gas if you want to end dependence on Russia? Germany imported more than 500,000 barrels of crude oil from Russia every day in 2020. In theory, Iran could step in. But it's complicated.
