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In the face of the most widespread national protests since the bloody crackdown on Tiananmen Square demonstrators in 1989, the Chinese government has abruptly abandoned its flagship zero-Covid policy, according to a media report.
Beijing had long warned that the only effective response was testing, quarantine and lockdowns. As it shifts policy, it must change how it portrays the risks.
Chinese President Xi Jinping stated in his initial response to the unprecedented mass protests against his strict zero-Covid policy that protesters were led by "mainly students" who were "frustrated" after three years of the pandemic.
A shift to more-targeted measures is seen after anti-lockdown demonstrations rocked the country.
Cities across China further unwound Covid restrictions Friday, loosening testing and quarantine rules in the wake of nationwide protests calling for an end to lockdowns and greater political freedoms.