Chinese-government statements that “zero Covid” is over has led to a range of reactions, from reports of hearses lined up at crematoria in the large cities to deal with a Covid surge to upward revisions of China’s GDP growth in anticipation that the economy will “open up.” As with everything about the PRC, we will never know the truth. All we know are the talking points that the government in Beijing wants its public or the world to repeat as fact; most news organizations are obliging.
About one thing, though, we should have no illusions or uncertainty. Since its origin three years ago, the pandemic has strengthened the government’s hand in controlling its population through electronic surveillance and other methods. Anti-lockdown demonstrations last month were met with resolve by the police-state apparatus, enhanced by the pandemic health-tracking apps. Follow-on actions — retributions — by the government were immediate and they continue. While the Chinese Communist Party may have made the tactical decision to lift some of the most egregious restrictions, Xi Jinping’s surveillance state has additional tools of control and will apply them aggressively to strengthen his hand. China’s citizens remain inside the “iron web,” entrapped by a digitally driven police state. Covid strengthened the party’s ability to keep them there.
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