China’s new pandemic

China’s abrupt abandonment of the zero-COVID strategy in the wake of mass protests in December changed the outlook for China’s economy — and the world’s. Within a few weeks, hundreds of millions of Chinese citizens fell ill as the virus spread out of control. More than 1 million people in China are expected to die from COVID-19, though Beijing’s obfuscation and deliberate underreporting means the true number may never be known.

The lockdowns and quarantine rules that impeded economic activity within China and across its borders have ended, and as citizens lose their fear of COVID-19, much normal activity is likely to resume. However, households and firms are cautious, having suffered severe financial losses during the lockdowns, and become acutely aware of the government’s newfound willingness to put the economy second. Other headwinds continue to blow: debt problems in the property sector, global uncertainty and commodity price shocks, and intensifying US efforts to cripple China’s economic development. All these questions have global ramifications.

Join Oxford Analytica’s webinar on February 15, where our experts will address several questions:  

• Is economic recovery now assured, or could COVID-19 infections and other threats drag China down again?
• What is the outlook for the Chinese high-tech industries under pressure from US export controls?
• Will a Chinese ‘charm offensive’ succeed in winning back friends in the region and beyond?
• Is there a risk that Beijing will try to distract a disgruntled public with adventurism vis-à-vis Taiwan?

* ALL FIELDS ARE REQUIRED