As Omicron catches up with Beijing, how much is China willing to pay for zero-Covid? | South China Morning Post

It's finally Beijing's turn . After a month of lockdown for Shanghai's 25 million residents , fears are soaring in Beijing about a similar citywide closure. Citing sporadic new Omicron infections, local authorities began three rounds of mass coronavirus testing this week for most of its 21 million people. Just a few days ago, a lockdown of Beijing, the nation's political centre, seemed inconceivable for most people, especially in the run-up to the once-in-a-decade leadership reshuffle later this year. The capital city was different and the most tightly controlled in the country, China watchers argued, and its lockdown could carry…