On October 16, the day they had planned to visit the Terracotta Warriors, the couple tested positive for the coronavirus. As a result, China has imposed lockdowns on a city of 4 million people, as well as several smaller cities and parts of Beijing, in an effort to contain a new 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. This aggressive response reflects China's successful "zero COVID" policy, which has resulted in fewer than 5,000 deaths since the start of the pandemic. The new outbreak in China, although small in comparison to other countries, is significant for China. However, China's strict policy of eradicating the virus sets it apart from the rest of the world, as other countries like New Zealand and Australia have started reopening despite previously adopting a zero-tolerance approach. China remains the only country still striving for complete eradication of the virus, as emphasized by Mi Feng, a spokesperson for the National Health Commission, during a news conference on Sunday. The existing control measures must not be eased. The government's stringent approach is based on specific Chinese considerations. Strong export activities have supported 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. China's leader, Xi Jinping, has frequently used the country's successful containment of COVID-19 as evidence of the effectiveness of its governance model. However, experts, both within China and internationally, have cautioned that this approach may not be sustainable in the long term. There is a concern that China could become increasingly isolated both diplomatically and economically, especially as global public opinion turns against it. Lynette Ong, a political scientist at the University of Toronto, noted that the Chinese regime believes it must maintain a 'zero COVID' policy to uphold its legitimacy, even though this comes at a high cost. At the beginning of the pandemic, the Chinese Communist Party's ability to control the virus appeared critical to its grip on power. China initially tried to hide the outbreak in Wuhan, which led to public outcry. Images of hospitals in chaos and patients in desperate need of help circulated on Chinese social media. However, as the virus spread globally, China's strict lockdowns and mass testing efforts were praised and seen as examples for other countries to follow. While Western democracies struggled with increasing death tolls, Xi Jinping highlighted how quickly China was able to control the spread of the virus. Anger over the initial reaction to the Wuhan outbreak transitioned into strong nationalism. Countries that implemented "zero COVID" policies were praised for their effective leadership focused on protecting lives rather than convenience and economic prosperity. As the pandemic enters its second year and the highly contagious delta variant spreads, nations are reassessing their approaches. Australia, which endured the world's lengthiest lockdown, is eliminating quarantine mandates for vaccinated citizens returning from abroad. New Zealand recently ended its pursuit of zero cases. Singapore is allowing vaccinated tourists from countries like Germany, the United States, and France to travel without quarantine. On the other hand, China has chosen not to follow suit. Zhang Wenhong, an infectious disease expert, faced backlash for suggesting China adapt to living with the virus. A former health minister criticized this mindset as dangerous. The government in Singapore is hesitant to deviate from its narrative of successfully managing the pandemic. She stated that outbreaks have become so common that they are no longer surprising, but the Chinese government aims to manage any potential sources of instability. China is also cautious due to the unequal distribution of medical resources, with most resources concentrated in urban areas, making it challenging for remote regions to handle an increase in cases. Despite a high vaccination rate of 75%, there are doubts about the effectiveness of China's domestic vaccines. However, the strategy of eliminating the virus seems to be supported by the public for the time being. Residents in locked-down areas have voiced their frustration about what they see as unfair and strict social media restrictions, but travel remains largely unrestricted in areas without COVID-19 cases. Affluent individuals have been investing in luxury goods and expensive cars instead of spending on overseas trips. According to Zhang, as long as people still have some level of mobility, they may not find strict COVID-zero policies too harsh. Some governments that initially decided to coexist with the virus may reconsider their approach, as seen in the case of Singapore reinstating restrictions in September following a surge in infections after easing measures in the summer. The government is continuing to implement travel lanes despite experts warning that the costs of aiming for zero cases will eventually be felt. China's economic growth is slowing down, with domestic travel over a recent weeklong holiday dropping below levels seen last year due to new cases scaring off tourists. Retail sales have been inconsistent, fluctuating with the virus outbreaks. There may also be diplomatic repercussions for the country. Xi has stayed in China and not met with any foreign visitors since early 2020, while other global leaders prepare to meet in Rome and Glasgow. China's tough approach is also affecting Hong Kong, which is aligning its COVID prevention policies with the mainland's, including implementing the world's longest quarantine. Despite concerns from business leaders about companies leaving, some support the restrictions but question if there is a plan for ending them. Jason Qiu, who grew up near Lanzhou, supports the current policies. “If the current situation persists for a prolonged period, such as the pandemic continuing for another five or 10 years or becoming endemic, it may be necessary to consider implementing some changes. Some officials have hinted at the possibility of easing restrictions, albeit cautiously. Gao Fu, the director 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 time to consider reopening. However, he emphasized the sensitivity of this issue. In the meantime, individuals affected by lockdowns have been trying to make the most of their circumstances. For instance, around 10,000 tourists are currently stranded in Ejin Banner, Inner Mongolia, due to lockdown measures. As a gesture of goodwill, the local tourism association has promised them free access to three popular tourist attractions over the next three years.” Copyright 2021 The New York Times Company.