Great Leap to Zero-COVID: The Logic and Limitation of Xi Jinping’s Mobilization

• In Event: Re-assessing Chinese Politics: Change and Continuity

Abstract

Abstract
This paper delves into a comprehensive analysis of the incentive structure influencing officials within the framework of China's Zero-Covid policy implementation. Notably, it posits the Zero-Covid campaign as a paradigm of task-oriented mobilization, deviating from the model-oriented mobilization characteristic of the Maoist era. In contrast to the rigid model-driven approach, task-driven mobilization pursues consistent policy outcomes adaptable to diverse regional contexts, allowing local governments flexibility in implementation based on local conditions. The article underscores the nuanced responses observed in the execution of the Zero-Covid policy, elucidating that while major urban centers enforced stringent community lockdowns and widespread quarantine measures, remote villages and communities opted for a more nuanced "soft lockdown." This approach involved creating a protective bubble against the virus while affording residents within the bubble the opportunity to maintain a semblance of regular life. Crucially, the pursuit of Zero-Covid emerged as the foremost priority on the agendas of cadres during the mobilization. The intense pressure from the central government to fulfill mandated tasks compelled local administrations to adopt extreme measures. Regrettably, this zeal for task completion gave rise to governance challenges and instances of corruption. This paper contributes significantly to the existing body of knowledge by shedding light on the unique "soft lockdown" responses observed in rural China during the Covid-19 pandemic. Additionally, it unveils the intricacies of cadre incentives propelling the intense implementation of the Zero-Covid campaign. Beyond these contributions, the paper advances our understanding of mobilization dynamics by introducing the concept of task-driven mobilization, providing a nuanced perspective on policy implementation strategies in the context of contemporary public health crises.

Author

• Zhuoran Li, Johns Hopkins University