China’s mainland is on its way to reopening all sectors of its society and economy as Beijing continues to ease its COVID policy. But some people from outside the country warn that the policy shift could lead to millions of deaths and an uncertain economic future. How likely is that going to happen? Is Beijing capable of handling the upcoming challenges?

To find out, host Tu Yun is joined by Professor Wu Zhiwei, Director of the Center for Public Health Research at Nanjing University, Dr. Tommy Tsan-Yuk Lam, Associate Professor, Division of Public Health Laboratory Sciences, University of Hong Kong, and Josef Mahoney, Professor of Politics and International Relations, East China Normal University. Professor Mahoney was previously trained as an epidemiologist and worked for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.