China fights economic slump, sticks to costly ‘zero COVID’


              A man plays with a child near a shuttered ZARA flagship store on Thursday, May 12, 2022, in Beijing. China's leaders are struggling to reverse an economic slump without giving up anti-virus tactics that shut down Shanghai and other cities, adding to challenges for President Xi Jinping as he tries to extend his time in power. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
            
              A resident opens her mouth to be swabbed during a mass COVID test on Thursday, May 12, 2022, in Beijing. China's leaders are struggling to reverse an economic slump without giving up anti-virus tactics that shut down Shanghai and other cities, adding to challenges for President Xi Jinping as he tries to extend his time in power. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
            
              A man wearing a face mask rides a bicycle across a quiet intersection in the central business district during the morning rush hour as most workers in the area have been ordered to work from home in Beijing, Thursday, May 12, 2022. China's leaders are struggling to reverse a deepening economic slump while keeping a "zero-COVID" strategy that has shut down Shanghai and other cities. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
            
              A woman wearing a face mask walks past a Huawei store temporarily closed due to coronavirus-related restrictions in Beijing, Thursday, May 12, 2022. China's leaders are struggling to reverse a deepening economic slump while keeping a "zero-COVID" strategy that has shut down Shanghai and other cities. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
            
              A child opens his mouth to be swabbed for mass COVID test on Thursday, May 12, 2022, in Beijing. China's leaders are struggling to reverse an economic slump without giving up anti-virus tactics that shut down Shanghai and other cities, adding to challenges for President Xi Jinping as he tries to extend his time in power. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
            
              A man wearing a face mask rides a bicycle past a construction site in Beijing, Thursday, May 12, 2022. China's leaders are struggling to reverse a deepening economic slump while keeping a "zero-COVID" strategy that has shut down Shanghai and other cities. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
China fights economic slump, sticks to costly ‘zero COVID’