China’s Xi Jinping ‘unwilling’ to accept western Covid vaccines says US intelligence chief

Despite daily Covid-19 cases near all-time highs and recent protests over lockdowns, US intelligence see no threat to Xi's stability

Chinese leader Xi Jinping is unwilling to accept western vaccines despite the challenges China is facing with Covid-19, and while recent protests there are not a threat to Communist party rule, they could affect his personal standing, US director of national intelligence Avril Haines said.

Although China's daily Covid cases are near all-time highs, some cities are taking steps to loosen testing and quarantine rules after Xi's zero-Covid policy triggered a sharp economic slowdown and public unrest opposing Covid-19 lockdowns.