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A new virus is fast infecting the world, creating one of the biggest global health crises since Ebola and SARS.
Editor: Lin Jinbing. Producer: Yu Zhuyangyang
Cover Story: Shanghai Fights a New Covid Enemy With Old Weapons
China’s playbook of lockdowns, mass testing and quarantines can’t keep up with BA.2 variant as city experiences shortages of food and medical care

Lunar New Year Rail Traffic Surges Near Pre-Pandemic Levels
Some 102 million passenger trips were made on the country’s railways between Jan. 22 and Feb. 1

Apple’s iPhone Dominated China Last Quarter Despite Disruptions
In the fourth quarter, the California tech giant seized 24% of China’s smartphone sales, topping all manufacturers

Update: China Posts Second-Slowest Annual Economic Growth in Decades
GDP expanded 3% in 2022, missing the government’s ‘around 5.5%’ target as expected, with expectations muted for a quick recovery amid surging Covid infections and ongoing property crisis

Shanghai Composite Index Fell 0.1% on Tuesday
Shenzhen Component Index closed up 0.13%

Air Traffic May Be Back to Normal by June on China Rebound
At airline economics forum, plane leasing companies project completion of global recovery this year after three years of pandemic disruptions

China Runs Short of Anti-Immune Deficiency Drug as Covid Panic Buying Clears Shelves
Prices have skyrocketed for intravenous immunoglobulin, which is crucial for treating those with chronic immunodeficiencies, putting their lives at risk

China Home Prices Slump After Covid Outbreaks Stifle Rescue
New-home prices fell in 70 cities in December, weeks after policymakers unveiled a sweeping plan to revive the housing industry

Covid Roils Shanghai’s Commercial Property Market in Fourth Quarter
Quarter on quarter, average daily rents for office space fell 0.3% while the vacancy rate jumped to 17.6%, new data show

Samsung Maintains Pace of Chip Investment Despite Plunging Profit
The South Korean tech giant is racing to build capacity, while peers Micron and SK Hynix slow down

Weekend Long Read: Covid Is Rife at China’s Colleges. Exams Are Going Ahead Anyway
For months, China’s students have prepared under harsh ‘zero-Covid’ restrictions. Now, many have to take crucial tests while infected with the virus

Germany, Sweden Add Covid Test Rules for Flights From China
Under urging from European Union, they join Belgium, France, Italy and Spain in measure responding to China’s surge in infections

Macao’s Annual Casino Revenue Plunges to 18-Year Low Amid ‘Zero Covid’
Gambling earnings in the territory fell to $5.2 billion last year, just 14% of the total reported before the pandemic in 2019

Hong Kong Ends Last Covid Curbs in Bid to Revive Finance Hub
Even as infections flare, city scraps limits on gatherings, vaccination checks and testing for travelers in push for January reopening

U.S. Weighs Covid-Prevention Measures for Travelers From China
The Asian country is experiencing the world’s largest Covid-19 outbreak, raising concerns among public health officials worldwide

In Depth: What’s in Store for China GDP, Fiscal Policy in 2023
As policymakers prioritize economic recovery, analysts expect more fiscal support through a higher budget deficit and a bigger special bond quota for local governments