It does not sound like the expectation among Shanghai officials is that they will reach zero-COVID status at the community level by April 20. There is still a long, grinding slog ahead.

Today’s Essential Eight:

1. Shanghai outbreak

2. More on the correctness of the dynamic zero-Covid policy

3. 25th meeting of the central commission for deepening overall reform

4. New “Study Outline of the Overall National Security Concept”

5. China sends a diplomat to Europe

6. Solomon Islands

7. Positive energy for the economy needed

8. CNKI looks like a rich target for the anti-monopoly regulators

Thanks for reading