China energises ‘scientific’ coronavirus policies, with new home-grown vaccine back on the agenda

China’s economy tsar has urged technological breakthroughs in domestic vaccines and urban management in an attempt to energise “scientific” coronavirus policies, while also doubling down on self-reliance.

The standing committee of the Politburo, the highest decision-making group in China, did not mention “stepping up the research and development of vaccines” during its meeting at the start of May, which was widely viewed as Beijing placing greater focus on enforcement of its zero-Covid strategy.