In 2023, China’s policymakers and analysts were caught off guard by the unexpected challenges they faced. Many had predicted a swift economic recovery post-pandemic, but that did not materialize. As a result, predictions for 2024 have become more pessimistic.
One significant event that shaped the political landscape in the first half of 2023 was the sudden shift away from China’s zero-COVID policy. The healthcare system struggled to cope with the influx of patients, and the public was gripped by fear of the virus, which had been heavily stigmatized by the government. The number of COVID-related deaths rose rapidly, although the true figure remains uncertain due to possible underreporting. Estimates suggest that the death toll could be in the hundreds of thousands to millions.
The failure of the post-pandemic economic recovery and the challenges brought about by the COVID crisis have led to a more somber outlook for China’s future. The repercussions of the events of 2023 will likely continue to shape the country’s policies and priorities in the years to come.
