China’s Zero‑Covid Stance: A Tale of Shuttered Bars and Bleak Job Hunts
Since the 2020 zero‑COVID crackdown, Beijing has doubled down on its “no‑tolerance” policy, claiming it’s for the people’s safety— hardly for their wallets.
From Architect to Quarantine‑Street Performer
- 457‑year‑old population → 5,226 deaths (vs. 1 + million in the U.S.)
- COVID‑19 caps the economy while murders the joy
Meet Cai Xu, a 36‑year‑old Beijinger who once sold draft plans for a state‑owned company and now owns five bars, four of which have been shut for good. The pandemic hit him hard: “I used to feel in control, then the pandemic made me anxious, flustered and lost. Now nobody walks through the door.”
To keep something alive, Cai started livestreaming his drinks & music for people stuck at home. It’s been a surprise hit, but he still needs to find another lifeboat.
Unemployment: A Growing Storm
Jobs are evaporating:
- Jan‑Mar 2023: GDP barely grew; Omicron wreaks havoc
- April 2023: Urban unemployment 6.1 % (highest since Feb 2020)
- July 2023: 16‑24 age group hit record 19.9 %
In the same heat, Zheng Mili, 30, has sent out hundreds of CVs in Beijing. The offers? Half the old salary. “I got an interview, after I called, a heads‑up: thousands of people applied for a 10,000 yuan monthly role. It’s absurd.” She sighed, “The job market is sooo tough.
What’s Next?
The person spotlighting the crisis: Beijing’s “never‑fail” policy is causing real‑world fallout. Bars are closing, job seekers are getting nowhere. As everyone waits on the other side of the same wall, a new chapter is about to unfold—maybe with livestream bars, flex‑jobs and, hopefully, a little more hope.
