Beijing has recorded its highest number of new Covid-19 cases for a year and a half in the last 24 hours, as the Chinese capital gears up to host the Winter Olympics in five days, AFP reports.

Beijing's tally of 20 new cases is the city's highest since June 2020, according to the National Health Commission.

City authorities have locked down some housing compounds, while officials in Fengtai district — where most of the new infections were detected — have begun testing around two million people for the virus.

A staff member wearing personal protective equipment directs passengers as they arrive at the Beijing Capital International Airport ahead of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China, January 29. — Reuters
A staff member wearing personal protective equipment directs passengers as they arrive at the Beijing Capital International Airport ahead of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China, January 29. — Reuters

Opinion

Editorial

A difficult story
Updated 12 Jun, 2026

A difficult story

Unless productivity becomes the dominant target of economic policy, Pakistan will continue to oscillate between crises and fragile recovery.
Rough waters
12 Jun, 2026

Rough waters

AMONGST the key potential triggers for fresh conflict in South Asia is water. The Indian state is behaving in an...
Politicised football
12 Jun, 2026

Politicised football

ALMOST three-and-half years since Lionel Messi led Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory, the latest edition of...
GB polls’ aftermath
Updated 11 Jun, 2026

GB polls’ aftermath

The new administration must address the region’s issues proactively.
Peace in retreat
11 Jun, 2026

Peace in retreat

THE ceasefire announced in April was supposed to create space for negotiations. Instead, it has been repeatedly...
A few good men
11 Jun, 2026

A few good men

IT was a brave move, no doubt. This Tuesday, in the land of the Afghan Taliban, a few good men decided to take a...