Fears of zero-COVID policy returning in China.

Hi Global Recap readers,

Is it just me, or does anyone else feel traumatized by the sight of COVID testing?

I hope we don’t have to deal with hazmat suits in the West, but they seem to be making a comeback in China.

🌐 Around the world:

• UN chief invokes Article 99.

• US gets involved in Guyana.

• Sunak’s hardline immigration bill.

• Home leader’s home encircled.

• Fears of zero-COVID policy returning in China.

Let’s get into today’s news.

🚨 UN Article Invoked

The UN chief António Guterres has invoked a rarely used Article 99 of the UN charter, warning of a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza as the war between Israel and Hamas continues.

• Article 99: It states that “the Secretary-General may bring to the attention of the Security Council any matter which in his opinion may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security.”

• Humanitarian Crisis: Gaza faces severe shortages of food, water, fuel, and medical supplies, as well as epidemic diseases and displacement of civilians.

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🇺🇸 US Sides with Guyana

For the last few days, we’ve been tracking Venezuela’s bid to exploit its sovereign neighbor, Guyana, for oil and other resources.

• In Response: The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has expressed its “unwavering support” for Guyana in its territorial dispute with Venezuela over the oil-rich Essequibo region.

• US Military: The US embassy in Guyana also announced that it would conduct flight operations within Guyana.

• Annexation: Venezuela claims the region as its own and plans to annex it after Sunday’s referendum.

Is it just me, or is the world falling apart?

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🇬🇧 Sunak’s “Toughest Bill”

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced on Wednesday his new bill to scrap some human rights laws to push through his controversial Rwanda plan.

• Supreme Court: The initial plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda was deemed “unlawful” by the Supreme Court, as it deemed Rwanda posed a risk to asylum seekers’ rights and safety.

• The Bill: The new bill seeks to override the Supreme Court’s decision that prevents the UK from deporting people to “unsafe third countries.” This involves “disapplying” parts of the Human Rights Act to deem Rwanda as a safe country.

Sunak characterized the bill as “ the toughest immigration law ever.”

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🇮🇱 Hamas Leader Home Encircled

Israel is considering a plan to disable Hamas’ underground tunnels by pumping seawater into them, according to US officials.

• Hamas Leader: According to Israeli PM Netanyahu, the Israel Defense Force (IDF) is encircling the home of Yahya Sinwar, the chief of Hamas in Gaza, who is believed to be hiding underground.

• Tunnel Network: Hamas has built a vast network of tunnels across Gaza, which it uses to store weapons, launch attacks, and evade airstrikes.

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China

Fears of Zero-COVID Measures Returning

😷 China’s COVID Fears Return. The recent outbreak of Pneumonia in China has many Chinese citizens worried about a possible comeback of the repressive zero-COVID policy that caused widespread discontent last year.

👀 What’s Going On. China has reported a wave of pneumonia and other respiratory infections since mid-October, covering various viruses and bacteria, including COVID.

• Some COVID testing has been brought back to airports and hospitals, and schools have been urged to step up prevention efforts.

• Rumors are also circulating that the COVID-tracking app is being reactivated in some provinces. However, Chinese censors are busy erasing reports investigating such claims.

🚫 The Zero-COVID Nightmare. China’s zero-COVID policy involved strict lockdowns, mass testing, contact tracing, and mandatory quarantine that lasted for two years and caused widespread public unrest. It claimed to keep the infection rate low but at a high cost for the people’s freedom, well-being, and livelihoods.

Here are some examples from last year:

🔥 The Public Outrage. The zero-COVID policy sparked unprecedented protests in November 2020, after a fire killed 10 people in a high-rise Xinjiang apartment, and COVID restrictions hampered rescue efforts. Thousands of people took to the streets to demand an end to the indefinite lockdowns and the abuse of power by the authorities.

🌃 Largest City Locked-Down. Last year, Shanghai imposed a strict lockdown on March 28 to contain the omicron outbreak, which peaked at 25,000 daily cases in early April. It was under strict lockdown for two months.

🤔 Why It Matters. The resurgence of respiratory illnesses and testing has raised concerns among some Chinese citizens that the zero-COVID policy might be reinstated, despite the reassurances of authorities and Western health experts. Many people still have traumatic memories of the harsh measures and the public unrest that they triggered