James Thorpe

It has never been easy to write about China, but today access is harder, and sources are more limited than they have been for decades. The pandemic hasn’t helped—since March 2020, China’s borders have been closed to most non-Chinese citizens. The result of this is that it is even harder for outsiders—and even most Chinese—to understand what is happening inside the country.

One year since the world’s first coronavirus lockdown, China faces new pressure at home and abroad over its pandemic response. Although its success in keeping the infection rate down is undisputed, China’s approach to vaccines is on less stable ground. China has produced two COVID-19 vaccines: one from Sinovac and one from Sinopharm. The country started giving shots to limited groups, including students going abroad, even when the data was still in the early stages, but subsequent trials, largely observed in developing countries, have been disappointing.

Don’t Count on China’s Help With a Coronavirus Inquiry The COVID-19 pandemic is far from over. But while many countries are still grappling with how to handle the second wave, a group of international scientists is starting to investigate the origins of the coronavirus and how the next pandemic might be averted. Don’t expect any help from Beijing on this, though. China’s striking success in handling the pandemic has won it plaudits—but it is unlikely to meet international expectations for a transparent, meticulous and meaningful inquiry into the viral spread.

In a market that accounts for two-fifths of the world’s online transactions, and where the sale of counterfeit goods online is rife, China’s first ecommerce law was a long time coming. The comprehensive legislation, which came into effect on January 1, covers a range of areas, from anti-counterfeiting measures to data protection, with the aim of defending brand and consumer rights.

China’s government values the stability its economic miracle has delivered, but this is only one part of an evolving story. The party is aware that life satisfaction must become part of the equation, especially for migrants such as Liu who have yet to meaningfully feel the trickle-down of China’s economic success.

A man in his twenties sporting a shiny black suit and tie looks into the camera. Behind him a slideshow of purses imprinted with Louis Vuitton logos plays. “The second image shows the colour of the protective film on the zip. If it is authentic, it should be light blue,” he tells the viewer.