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President Xi Jinping’s zero-Covid policy has become a political liability

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President Xi Jinping’s zero-Covid policy has become a political liability

Protests in major cities, poor economic indicators, and widespread discontent online – President Xi Jinping’s zero-Covid policy is transforming from a propaganda triumph to a political liability.

For two years, strict lockdowns, mass testing, and tight border controls had beaten back the virus, resulting in relatively few deaths in the world’s most populous country.

While much of the Western world was hit hard by epidemics, China’s “dynamic zero-Covid” approach was hailed as a symbol of Xi’s astute leadership and commemorated during the ruling Communist Party’s centennial celebrations last year.

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Xi was portrayed as avuncular, wise, and in complete command of a Chinese success story in adoring television specials and staged ceremonies.

However, as he seeks an unprecedented third term in power at the party congress this autumn, a virus outbreak fueled by the Omicron variant is raising awkward and unexpected questions.

According to official figures, hundreds of people have died, mostly in Shanghai, where the population has been enraged by a lockdown that is only partially lifting after nearly two months.

Beijingers are concerned that they will be next, while economic dynamos from Jilin to Shenzhen have been stymied by restrictions, and the economy is losing steam.

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Vivienne Shue, a China studies professor at the University of Oxford, told AFP that the leadership’s intransigence “now risks making China’s performance appear not only stubborn, but perilously uncreative, and unwise.”

Nonetheless, Xi insists that the country should “unwaveringly” pursue zero-Covid, claiming that Chinese lives are more valuable than economic pain.

However, the strict application of virus controls has sparked outrage and ridicule, particularly in Shanghai, where sarcastic memes have swept the internet and scuffles with hazmat-clad officials have been witnessed on the streets.

Hundreds of students gathered last week at Beijing’s elite Peking University, the birthplace of the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, to protest Covid rules.

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Experts say Xi has bet too much on zero-Covid to now take a step back.

“Challenging this policy means challenging him,” said Alfred Wu, an associate professor at the National University of Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.

– Beat the drum for Congress –

This is an important year for Xi.

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When China’s ruling class meets in Beijing for the 20th Party Congress to elect the country’s top decision-makers, he is expected to win a third term as party leader.

While the abrupt unravelling of Beijing’s Covid narrative is a challenge, experts believe it is unlikely to derail his bid to rule China indefinitely.

“Through anti-corruption and other campaigns, he has already solidified his power base,” Wu said.

In the run-up to the congress, Xi’s priority is to maintain the status quo, he added.

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China has escaped the deaths that have plagued most other major countries, bolstering zero-credibility. Covid’s

Top leaders, including Premier Li Keqiang, have come forward to reassure that the Covid-19 controls will only be temporary.

Following the country’s lowest retail sales and factory output in months, Li said on Wednesday that local governments should increase their “sense of urgency” in addressing the economic crisis.

His prominence has sparked speculation of a schism or challenge to Xi’s authority from party factions disgruntled by the virus’s impact.

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Others warn against drawing too many conclusions from information spoon-fed to the public by a Communist Party steeped in secrecy and storytelling.

“Xi may have given Li the authority to make a course correction,” said Joseph Torigian, an elite politics expert at American University.

– Covid is a bad communist.

The zero-Covid policy has a significant political component.

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As Xi’s authority spreads across the country, officials have been fired or reprimanded for failing to stop outbreaks.

Shanghai’s chaotic lockdown has cast doubt on the fate of the city’s Communist Party secretary, Li Qiang, who has long been considered one of Xi’s top choices for premiership once Li Keqiang steps down.

However, analysts from the SinoInsider consultancy wrote that “as long as Xi is in office and has sufficient political strength, Li Qiang has a good chance of joining the Politburo Standing Committee,” referring to a select group of top Chinese leaders.

According to Beijing watchers, rumblings of divisions and behind-the-scenes moves are easily overblown but not always incorrect.

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“Like most governing parties around the world, the CCP works hard to present itself as thoroughly unified in purpose,” Shue said.

“And, like most governing parties around the world, the CCP is almost always… beset by very consequential internal party policy differences.”

Experts say it’s difficult to see how Xi can abandon the policy without losing political capital now that he’s committed to zero-Covid.

However, the congress is still several months away, and it is too early to assess the impact on China’s most powerful leader since Mao.

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“It’s difficult to say whether top party elites have different perspectives on zero-Covid,” Torigian said.

“Chinese politics are not a popularity contest,” he added.

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Hollywood

Stranded in Israel amid airstrikes, Caitlyn Jenner sips wine in bomb shelter and says, ‘Pray for us’

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Stranded in Israel amid airstrikes, Caitlyn Jenner sips wine in bomb shelter and says, ‘Pray for us’

The world watched in disbelief as Caitlyn Jenner, the Olympic champion turned global media personality, appeared on social media from a bomb shelter in Israel. Clutching a glass of wine, her video was both surreal and deeply human, capturing a strange blend of calmness and fear as airstrikes echoed above.

Jenner had traveled to Israel for a speaking engagement and wellness summit. The trip, meant to focus on self-discovery and global connection, took an unexpected turn as tensions in the region escalated. Within hours of her arrival in Tel Aviv, the air raid sirens began blaring. Israeli cities braced for potential attacks, and all foreign visitors were advised to seek shelter.

She was rushed by her team to a fortified bomb shelter inside her hotel, a space where several other international guests also gathered. The cemented underground room had minimal lighting, emergency supplies, and a haunting silence broken only by the distant thuds of intercepted rockets.

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In that moment, Caitlyn chose to document the situation—not to sensationalize it, but to remind the world that even celebrities are not immune to war. She raised her glass of Merlot and softly said to the camera, “We’re okay, for now. But pray for us. This is very real.”

The video instantly went viral. The internet reacted with a mix of empathy, disbelief, and critique. Some applauded her for staying composed and using her platform to raise awareness. Others questioned the optics—wine in a war zone, they argued, might seem out of touch. But most agreed on one thing: this wasn’t a publicity stunt. It was a raw moment of a person caught off guard by war.

Outside, the Iron Dome system of Israel roared to life, intercepting rockets mid-air. The bomb shelter would shake slightly each time a missile was taken down. Caitlyn later shared how that sound felt—“like thunder wrapped in relief.”

Her family in the U.S., including daughters Kendall and Kylie Jenner, shared their support on social media, asking fans to pray not just for Caitlyn but for all those affected by the conflict. Kris Jenner reportedly stayed in constant contact with Israeli officials and the U.S. embassy to ensure her daughter’s safety.

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What made this event even more gripping was Caitlyn’s tone throughout her updates. She wasn’t panicked. She was composed. Even as distant blasts echoed through the concrete walls, she smiled gently and whispered, “We have to believe peace will come.”

Celebrities like Gal Gadot, who served in the Israeli military, showed support and emphasized how civilians on both sides are the ones who suffer most. Public figures including politicians, diplomats, and human rights activists weighed in, turning Caitlyn’s clip into a symbol of global vulnerability.

Back in the U.S., late-night hosts and news commentators debated the moment. Was it a modern-day war diary? Was it tone-deaf privilege? Or was it simply human—a celebrity stripped of luxury, facing a fear no fame could shield her from?

Amid the criticism, one thing was clear: Caitlyn’s update gave millions a personal look into what it’s like to be stuck in the crossfire of geopolitical chaos. Her message was universal—war is real, and no one is truly safe.

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She later thanked Israeli defense personnel for their swift actions and praised the people she was sheltered with for their kindness. “There was no panic. Just humanity,” she wrote in another post.

As things began to settle, Caitlyn was finally escorted to Ben Gurion Airport under tight security. She flew back to Los Angeles and appeared on major media outlets to discuss her harrowing experience.

During a heartfelt interview, she said, “This isn’t about politics. This is about people. The children I saw in shelters. The elderly woman holding my hand. The hope in the eyes of the hotel staff, despite the fear. It changes you.”

In a time when conflict often feels distant or abstract, Caitlyn Jenner’s first-hand account pierced through the noise. It reminded the world that bombs don’t differentiate between the famous and the forgotten.

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Her final message from the airport lounge, before leaving Israeli soil, was simple: “I’ll carry these memories forever. Pray for the region. Pray for peace. We all deserve it.”

Despite her celebrity status, Caitlyn found herself reduced to the same level of vulnerability as everyone else in that shelter. The walls that separated the public from the private life of a global icon came crashing down, both literally and symbolically.

At one point during the shelter-in-place order, someone recognized her and gently approached, not for a selfie, but simply to ask, “Is this your first time in Israel?” Caitlyn smiled and nodded. The conversation turned from fame to fear, and from politics to prayer.

She later said it was one of the most authentic conversations she’d had in years—no red carpet, no cameras, just two people sharing a moment in crisis.

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The emotional toll of the night would weigh on her. In her reflection shared the next day, Caitlyn wrote on X, formerly Twitter, “When you hear bombs falling and realize no amount of wealth can protect you from it—only faith, and the people beside you, matter.”

As missiles were intercepted above ground, the shelter saw shared snacks, whispered reassurances, and even quiet laughter. One Israeli teenager started playing soft music from their phone—Caitlyn remembered the melody was “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen. It brought some in the room to tears.

The glass of wine she held was not about luxury—it became a symbol. “It was a reminder that life continues, even under threat. We hold on to small rituals to feel human,” she explained later.

Media coverage around the world exploded. Her moment, intended to show resilience, was misinterpreted by some as performative. However, defenders of Jenner pointed out that she never intended it to be a political statement—it was an unfiltered human response to a terrifying situation.

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Israeli news networks featured her brief clips, and Hebrew-language newspapers highlighted her gratitude toward the IDF and the civilians she met. Some Israeli citizens thanked her for not fleeing immediately like many foreign visitors had.

Caitlyn’s perspective gave international audiences a glimpse into daily life in conflict zones—where war isn’t just explosions, but the long silences in between, filled with fear, hope, and quiet strength.

Her celebrity status amplified the story, but the emotions she captured resonated with anyone who has ever faced uncertainty. Parents hiding with their children. Travelers stuck abroad. Locals adjusting to fear as a way of life.

Back home, her updates sparked broader conversations about how the media portrays war—often through filtered lenses. But in Caitlyn’s case, it was raw, unpolished, and emotionally honest.

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The experience transformed her. She later expressed that despite the horror, she felt deeply connected to those around her. “You learn more about yourself in a bomb shelter than at a luxury spa,” she quipped with characteristic humor.

She also pledged to raise awareness for organizations helping displaced families and war-affected children in both Israel and Gaza. “No child should hear what I heard that night. Or live in shelters like that for weeks,” she said.

Though she was safely home days later, the psychological aftershocks lingered. She admitted she now jumps at sudden loud noises and finds herself thinking about those who remain in conflict zones, day after day.

Her story drew attention not just because it involved a public figure, but because it transcended fame. It was a portrait of shared humanity in crisis.

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Global news agencies continued to dissect the moment for days. Some called it “a turning point in how we perceive war.” Others debated whether the wine glass dulled the seriousness of the situation or emphasized the absurdity of war.

In her final Instagram post from that trip, she included a picture of the bunker wall—where someone had drawn a peace sign using lipstick. The caption read simply: “Hope never hides.”

As the media attention faded, Caitlyn returned to her advocacy work and television appearances. But she continued to speak in private events and podcasts about the need to support civilians in conflict zones—not just with policy, but with empathy.

She’s now reportedly working on a short documentary that will feature her footage and interviews with the people she met during the ordeal. Proceeds are expected to go to humanitarian aid.

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From fame to fear, from red carpets to concrete shelters, Caitlyn Jenner’s experience in Israel reminded the world that war respects no boundaries—but neither does compassion.

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