Protests of this scale haven’t happened in China in decades.

How Xi/CCP respond will have material implications - lifting COVID zero could strain the HC system/blow up govt (single payer) spend given low vax rates but quashing protests could spark social unrest, which CCP also does not want

Thoughts on outcome here

Well, the reason for the perpetual lockdowns and mass construction of new quarantine camps, which anyone can be selectively put into with a push of a button via their apps — isn’t really covid, it’s to crush any uprisings against this https://i.imgur.com/A3s7gH9.jpg

He’s certainly consolidated power around himself which should make for an interesting third term and pretty strong adherence to his many stated goals in coming years

Though I do think he’s put himself in a tough spot w zero COVID because he’s defended it for so long (at times even at the cost of productivity)