Even as Shanghai began easing its COVID-19 lockdown yesterday, most of the Chinese city’s twenty-five million people remain under stringent restrictions following a surge in cases. The lockdown continues to rock global supply chains; wait times for semiconductor deliveries have increased, the Financial Times reported, and three major Apple suppliers suspended production (Nikkei) around Shanghai.
Lockdowns will be lifted in areas of the city that report no COVID-19 cases for two weeks, a Shanghai official said. Still, some people in areas where lockdowns ended said they were barred or discouraged (Bloomberg) from leaving residential compounds. People at several compounds have protested the severity of restrictions.
Analysis
“Under China’s performance-based legitimacy, pivoting away from [a zero-COVID policy] due to the high socioeconomic cost would undermine [Chinese President Xi Jinping]’s personal leadership right at the moment he is seeking a third term. And he has tied his personal interest to the policy,” CFR’s Yanzhong Huang writes for CNN.
“The struggle to obtain daily necessities like food and medical care in Shanghai has triggered rare pushback from residents, with some saying the Communist Party’s cure is worse than the disease,” Bloomberg News writes.
Pacific Rim
Indonesia Passes Landmark Bill on Sexual Violence
The bill, first proposed a decade ago, addresses prevention and prosecution (AFP) of sexual violence, as well as survivor recovery. Islamic groups pushed back against the law, saying it promoted promiscuity.
South and Central Asia
Sri Lanka to Default on $51 Billion in Foreign Debt Amid Economic Crisis
Colombo said it will halt debt repayments to ensure (Economic Times)the “fair and equitable treatment of all creditors” before it begins talks with the International Monetary Fund about a recovery program.
U.S./India: In a rare public rebuke of India’s human rights record, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States is monitoring an alleged rise (Reuters) in human rights abuses by officials in the country.
Middle East and North Africa
OPEC Tells EU It Can’t Replace Sanctioned Russian Oil
The secretary-general of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) told European Union (EU) officials that current and future sanctions on Russia could create (Reuters) one of the worst-ever oil supply shocks and that it would be impossible for OPEC to replace lost supplies.
The bloc’s top diplomat blamed the decision on Malian authorities’ failure to guarantee (DW) that Russian mercenaries would not interfere with EU operations in the country.
For the Africa in Transition blog, CFR’s Michelle Gavin examines the disconnect between Sudan’s junta and its people.
Europe
WTO: Ukraine War Could Halve Global Trade Growth This Year
The World Trade Organization (WTO) projected that the crisis could also lower (AFP) forecasted global gross domestic product (GDP) growth by 0.7–1.3 percentage points.
Belarus/Russia: Russian President Vladimir Putin is meeting (WaPo) today with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to discuss countering Western sanctions.
CFR offers background and analysis on the war in Ukraine.
Americas
Brazil’s Electoral Authority Invites EU Observers for October Vote
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who is running for reelection, has repeatedly said (AP) that the country’s electronic voting system is unreliable.
Chile: Officials in the capital, Santiago, announced a water-rationing program (MercoPress) to cope with droughts that the governor said are “unprecedented” for the city.
United States
Biden to Allow Sales of High-Ethanol Gas to Tame Prices
The Joe Biden administration plans to temporarily allow (WSJ) the sale of 15 percent ethanol gasoline, which is usually banned during summer months to reduce smog.
