The couple, who had planned to visit the Terracotta Warriors on Oct 16, tested positive for the coronavirus on that day. Following their positive test results, China has implemented lockdowns in a city of 4 million people, as well as in smaller cities and parts of Beijing, in order to contain a recent outbreak that has affected over 240 individuals in at least 11 provinces and regions. Schools and tourist sites have been closed, and government websites have provided detailed information about the couple's movements and contacts, including where they stayed at hotels and which floors they visited in restaurants. This response reflects China's strict "zero COVID" policy, which has been successful in keeping the country's death toll from the pandemic at less than 5,000. The size of the recent outbreak in China, although small compared to other countries, is significant for China. However, China's policy of pursuing full eradication of the virus has made it stand out as an outlier compared to other countries like New Zealand and Australia that have begun to reopen. A spokesperson for the National Health Commission emphasized the importance of maintaining the policy of defending against imported cases and preventing any resurgence of the virus. The existing control measures must remain in place. The stringent approach taken by the government is the result of specific Chinese considerations. Strong export performance has been crucial in maintaining the economy. The Communist Party's firm control allows for efficient implementation of lockdowns and testing. Beijing is preparing to host the Winter Olympics in February, and many Chinese take pride in the low number of cases. Xi Jinping, the leader of China, has frequently cited the country's successful containment efforts as evidence of the effectiveness of its governance system. However, experts, both in China and internationally, have cautioned that this strategy may not be sustainable. China could risk becoming increasingly isolated on both diplomatic and economic fronts, especially as global public opinion turns against it. Lynette Ong, a political scientist at the University of Toronto, believes that the Chinese regime feels the need to maintain a 'zero COVID' policy in order to uphold its legitimacy, despite the high costs involved. During the early stages of the pandemic, the Chinese Communist Party's ability to control the virus appeared crucial to its grasp on power. China initially tried to hide the outbreak in Wuhan, which caused public outrage. However, as the virus spread globally, China's strict measures and successful control of the outbreak became an example for other countries. Xi Jinping highlighted China's speedy recovery compared to the rising death tolls in western democracies. Anger over the initial handling of the Wuhan outbreak turned into strong nationalism, with countries praising those with "zero COVID" policies for prioritizing lives over convenience and economy. As the pandemic continues into its second year and the delta variant spreads, nations are reevaluating their approaches. Australia, which had the longest lockdown, is now lifting quarantine for vaccinated residents returning from abroad. New Zealand has officially dropped its pursuit of zero cases. Singapore is allowing vaccinated tourists from countries like Germany, the United States, and France to travel without quarantine. However, China has decided not to make any changes to its current policies. Zhang Wenhong, a well-known infectious disease expert from Shanghai, faced harsh criticism online when he suggested that China should adapt to living with the virus. A former Chinese health minister labeled this mindset as irresponsible. Ong mentioned that the government is hesitant to accept any opinions that may challenge its belief in successfully handling the pandemic. She mentioned that outbreaks have become so common that they are no longer considered significant. However, the Chinese government is keen on managing any potential sources of instability. Another reason for China's caution is the unequal distribution of medical resources, with most being concentrated in major cities. This could lead to smaller areas being overwhelmed by an increase in cases. Despite achieving a high vaccination rate of 75%, doubts have been raised about the effectiveness of China's own vaccines. Nevertheless, the strategy of eliminating the virus seems to be supported by the public. Residents in areas with strict lockdowns have expressed frustration with what they see as unfair and excessive social restrictions, while travel remains largely unrestricted in areas that have not had any cases. The wealthy have been investing in luxury items and expensive cars instead of spending on international trips. Zhang believes that as long as people can still move around freely, strict COVID-zero policies may not seem too harsh to the local population. However, governments that have opted to live with the virus may reconsider their approach if cases start to rise. Singapore, for example, lifted restrictions over the summer but had to reinstate them in September due to a sudden increase in infections. However, despite the government's decision to continue with travel lanes, experts believe that the costs of aiming for zero cases will eventually be felt. China's economy is slowing down, with domestic travel during a recent weeklong holiday declining compared to last year due to new cases scaring off tourists. Retail sales have been inconsistent, fluctuating with the waves of the virus. Additionally, there could be diplomatic consequences for the country. Xi has not left China or met with foreign visitors since early 2020, while other world leaders are preparing to meet in Rome for a Group of 20 summit and Glasgow for climate talks. China's tough stance is also affecting Hong Kong, which is a semi-autonomous territory and global financial center. Hong Kong's leaders, in an effort to align their COVID prevention policies with mainland China's, have implemented the world's longest quarantine. Despite warnings from business leaders about foreign firms leaving, supporters of the restrictions are questioning if there is an exit strategy. Jason Qiu, 27, who grew up near Lanzhou in Gansu province, believes the current policies are going in the right direction. “If current circumstances persist for an extended period, such as the potential continuation of the pandemic for five to ten years or its transition into an endemic state, it may be necessary to consider implementing changes to existing measures. Some officials have cautiously discussed the idea of easing restrictions in response to these concerns. Gao Fu, the leader of China’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention, suggested in a recent interview that once the country achieves an 85% vaccination rate, it may be appropriate to consider reopening. However, he emphasized that this decision is complex and sensitive. In the meantime, individuals affected by lockdowns are adapting to their situations as best as possible. For instance, approximately 10,000 tourists are currently stranded in Ejin Banner, Inner Mongolia, due to lockdown measures. To provide some relief, the local tourism association has offered these individuals free access to three popular tourist sites, valid for the next three years.” Copyright 2021 The New York Times Company.