China's supreme leader Xi Jinping enforced a strict three-year zero-Covid policy, but instead of building up his country's medical resources to cope with the pandemic, all that was done was keep citizens indoors often for months.
Forced by unusual citizen protests last month, Xi withdrew the zero-Covid policy, only to see coronavirus cases spiral out of control.
As Chinese medical facilities in Beijing, Shanghai and other parts of China struggle to cope with the surge in coronavirus cases, Xi is missing from action.
Glimpses from China under a state of pandenic siege:
Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff.com
Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com
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