Chinese City Eases Lockdowns After Nights of Protests Against COVID Rules

A megacity in southern China announced a reversal of snap lockdowns across multiple districts on Wednesday following nights of riots over restrictive COVID-19 policies. In Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province, districts including Haizhu, Baiyun, Fanyu, Tianhe, Conghua, Huadu and Liwan said restrictions on movement would be lifted to implement a 20-point optimization plan announced by the central government earlier this month. “High risk” areas, however, would remain under lockdown. The manufacturing hub of nearly 19 million people is home to many migrant workers. The city has been among the hardest hit by China’s economy-throttling zero-COVID policy, which has shuttered factories…