The CCP's real problem and that of Xi Jinping as its figurehead is that this omnipotent entity has run into something that it cannot control, despite what their lockdowns and other draconian measures would like to have you believe. As a state whose very existence relies on control of its population this presents a real problem. Now that the CCP has embarked on its (impossible to attain) zero COVID strategy it is in a no win situation.
Omicron variant BA.5 is evolving aided by infections in people pre-infected with earlier strains and/or who have received by a no longer effective vaccination so it is winning the race against our efforts to stem its spread. While in the environment that those sufferers present it with it 'learns' to evade our natural or medication imparted immune responses and on it goes to the next human all the stronger and more capable of infection as a result.
China's efforts towards 'zero COVID' are doomed to failure as the virus gains strength against any control measures. Even if absolute isolation of the population's individuals was possible, which it's not, China would have to permanently close its borders to all and any travellers which effectively kills any hopes of trade or indeed direct contact with the world totally. Not possible!
Therefore as there doesn't appear to be an end game for their present strategy it will fail and in doing so the CCP will be shown to be fallible. This is essentially a 'loss of face' is probably the most feared situation that any Chinese person or entity can envisage and in the case of the leadership of a country such as China could lead to the fracturing of it as a single state.
So all in all we're witnessing a no win situation unfolding here and one that will have widespread fallout on an international basis.
The importance of the hold on power that the CCP must maintain in order for China to keep functioning in its present form is well described in this series (3 of) documentaries:
Omicron variant BA.5 is evolving aided by infections in people pre-infected with earlier strains and/or who have received by a no longer effective vaccination so it is winning the race against our efforts to stem its spread. While in the environment that those sufferers present it with it 'learns' to evade our natural or medication imparted immune responses and on it goes to the next human all the stronger and more capable of infection as a result.
China's efforts towards 'zero COVID' are doomed to failure as the virus gains strength against any control measures. Even if absolute isolation of the population's individuals was possible, which it's not, China would have to permanently close its borders to all and any travellers which effectively kills any hopes of trade or indeed direct contact with the world totally. Not possible!
Therefore as there doesn't appear to be an end game for their present strategy it will fail and in doing so the CCP will be shown to be fallible. This is essentially a 'loss of face' is probably the most feared situation that any Chinese person or entity can envisage and in the case of the leadership of a country such as China could lead to the fracturing of it as a single state.
So all in all we're witnessing a no win situation unfolding here and one that will have widespread fallout on an international basis.
The importance of the hold on power that the CCP must maintain in order for China to keep functioning in its present form is well described in this series (3 of) documentaries: