On Wednesday, the Chinese government says it’s relaxing some of its “zero COVID” rules. The announcement comes after widespread protests in cities across the country, with citizens fed up with the sometimes-draconian lockdown measures that were in place.

The lockdowns also hampered the nation’s economy, a key way in which the ruling Chinese Communist Party has maintained a stable grasp on power. What does the set of new rules mean to the world’s number two economy and its people?

Here & Now‘s Scott Tong spoke to the Wall Street Journal’s bureau chief in Beijing Jonathan Cheng to find out.

This article was originally published on WBUR.org.

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