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SHANGHAI WILL TRY to reopen within a few days as a Covid-19 outbreak in China’s largest city subsides, an official has said.
The strict lockdown of the city – now in its seventh week – is part of the ruling Communist Party’s “zero-Covid” goal that has exacted a mounting economic toll that even the World Health Organisation (WHO) says may be unsustainable.
Vice mayor Wu Qing said at a news conference that the goal in Shanghai is to achieve “elimination in society” of the coronavirus, meaning any new cases would only be in people already in isolation.
That would allow for an “orderly opening, limited (population) flow, and differentiated management”, Wu said.
No exact date beyond the middle of the month was given, nor did Wu say how the reopening would occur except that the city intends to gradually restore industrial production, education and medical services.
Shanghai officials have made similar past assurances, only to see restrictions return even as cases wane in the city of 25 million people.
Complaints about food shortages and other hardships and videos posted online showing people in Shanghai and other areas arguing with police have been deleted by censors.
Amid a much smaller outbreak in Beijing, more daily testing has been ordered, classes have been suspended, people have been ordered to work from home, restaurants are restricted to take-away service and many shops, tourist sites, banks and government offices have been closed.
Some residential communities are under lockdown and residents have been warned to avoid travelling between city districts.
Shanghai reported 2,096 new Covid-19 cases on Friday, all but 227 of them in people not showing symptoms. Beijing reported 50 cases, in line with recent daily totals.
China’s foreign ministry dismissed as “irresponsible” the WHO’s doubts expressed earlier this week about continuing the “zero-Covid” approach mandating strict lockdowns, mass testing and the compulsory removal to crowded centralised quarantine centres of anyone who tests positive or is a close contact.
Experts have questions the policy’s continued use given vaccines are widely available, and it has affected growth in the world’s second-largest economy as well as global supply chains.
However, it has become ever-more closely identified with China’s president and Communist Party leader Xi Jinping, who is determined to maintain tight social control and shore up his and the party’s authority ahead of a key party congress later this year.
Already highly limited rights to privacy, free speech and personal autonomy have been further restricted in the name of fighting the pandemic.
China’s borders have been largely closed for more than two years, and this week the government said it would tighten restrictions on outbound travel by Chinese citizens and increase scrutiny over the issuance of passports.
At a meeting last week, the party’s all-powerful Politburo Standing Committee, the leadership said it was committed to “resolutely fighting any attempts to distort, question or dismiss China’s anti-Covid policy”.
“In the face of mounting uncertainties due to Covid-19, one thing remains certain – China will stick to its dynamic zero-Covid policy that has proven pragmatic and effective,” the official Xinhua News Agency said in an editorial on Thursday.
China’s outbreaks and the ensuing restrictions have led to a number of events being cancelled or postponed, most recently the Asian Games originally scheduled for September in the city of Hangzhou, 110 miles west of Shanghai.
Mickey Noonan wants us to spend spend spend so he can tax tax tax. I say no no no as he is already inflicting lots of pain and hardship on innocent citizens who are not responsible for the fiscal disaster we have in Ireland. Anyway, I need my money in case I need to go to the Doctor.
Spend, spend, spend is right. Without that there is no tax take, which without we cannot dig dig dig our way out of the mess we are in. I don’t like it as much as the next person, and I am far from responsible for it, the same as 99% of the population. However, without taxation we cannot pay back our debt. It is an unfortunate necessity.
The sooner that we have a positive outlook the better off Ireland will be.
Spend locally, buy locally. Support your local restaurant, your local supermarket and keep money flowing in Ireland
noonan has proven that he is as intelligent as biffo, I recall that particular idiot making the same comment.
Wel Michael, I’m keeping my mulla.
Dear Mr. Noonan, you want us to spend so that the status quo can remain. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. By repeating the Spend Spend mentality we ensure that we keep things the way they were which we know were unsustainable.
spend ,spend within reason , it’s what will get our economy moving again , buy indiginous products
Agreed Bryan. There are a lot of people in the country that are comfortable off, good salary, great savings, low mortgage but who are hording cash. Even just going to a restaurant once a month more, ensuring that you buy Irish produce as much as possible, even very little things can add up, the domestic economy is dying due to lack of demand and lack of spending, while people who have, spending a little more can improve the situation, the main onus falls on the Govt. here.
…. yes buy Irish products … and leave any French and German stuff on the shelves … that’ll teach them..
Spend what? So many of us have nothing spare left at the end of a month that we cannot even buy what we need, never mind items off the wish list! Savings are a thing of the past!
It makes sense to spend, as it would have a chain reaction that would lead to keeping more people in jobs (put very simply) but after wage cuts and tax hikes ordinary workers just don’t have the money to spend and asking them to spend their savings is unrealistic as, with more cuts and hikes in the pipeline, people are more cautious about how and why they should spend. Propping up a banking system that is failing as we speak has made no difference to our domestic economy except to drain it, they aren’t giving loans anymore so people can’t even rely on credit to make their big purchases anymore. If the government raised welfare again and got rid of the USC, those people on lower incomes who spend their entire wage/welfare in a week and can’t afford savings would have more to spend.
Well said Sorcha, I do understand where he is coming from in relation to money lying in bank accounts and not being spent but to direct the statement at the whole country is a joke. As you say, people on low income and social welfare put their entire monies straight back into the economy. And if they had more to spend they would spend it. Not squirrel it away and leave it sitting. It makes my blood boil that the rich and elite of this country still get childrens benefit. Whether they need it or not. And what does a well off person do with 3 or 4 hundred euro going into their bank account every month that they don’t need? Save it. Why should a person like Bono or indeed the high paid politicians get this benefit? It’s crazy!! Taking it off the well off and giving it to the less well off would ensure that that money would be spent in the economy… Means test it!! And don’t get me started about the amount being paid for children not even living in the Country!!!
Michael Noonan, another politician who doesn’t live in the real world.
If I had his money I would spend spend but I don’t so I won’t
so mr noonan if i dont pay my mortgage,gas,electric and so on and decide to spend,spend,spend(oh how i wish) will you bail me out ? GET A GRIP !
Before everyone gets hysterical about not having money to spend (and I don’t) this is not a call to people without money to spend, it is a call to people with savings to spend some of it.
Spending = Our Domestic Economy
Exactly he is speaking to the 3040% of the country that do have money to spend, that are actually quiet secure in comparison to many in Europe. There are people in their 50′s and up, who have tiny mortgages and massive savings and good wages who are huddling in to a bunker.
Yeah but given that we are expecting more cuts in the next budget, if people spend their savings (of course, depending on their income and how much they have saved) then they would be stuck. I definitely support the idea that those who can afford to spend, should do.
Spend what exactly?
It’s alright for overpaid people like Noonan but some of us don’t have money to spend and any meagre savings we may have are we expected to blow them or save them to cover ourselves when they bring on further cuts in future?
Noonan is dead right. One of the only ways to get out of a recession is by spending. I don’t know how some of the commenters above expect the economy to get going again if no money is spent. The only thing that will happen if those who have money continue to save instead of spending is stagnation and deeper recession. I’m by no means a fan of Noonan, but I don’t know why people are getting so offended by this. He’s obviously not telling those who don’t have money to spend.
I do agree with Mr Noonan on one front – In order for this country to get out of this recession and to get jobs and the economy moving again WE DO NEED TO SPEND !!
However, I think what really needs to be said to Mr Noonan is that maybe the direction of who he is targetting is getting lost in his remarks. We all know that the unemployed and those on social welfare and even the majority of middle class Ireland at this moment is STRUGGLING just to survive on a daily basis. Paying the bills and keeping their heads above water !! There are people in our society who are so wealthy that they could live off the interest alone !! These are the people who keep their money in the banks and investments and who do not want to contribute to our society !! They are greedy and want to keep adding to their bank accounts. They should SPEND SPEND SPEND even a fraction of their wealth in this country to help it during these times. But also I would like to make the point of ” Our own Government” – They spend spend spend at times for various items but are these items always sourced and manufactured in this country ? You can bet a lot of them are not….For instance a few years ago during an election campaign the posters and election stationery was done in France and sent here. They didnt support Irish Printers ! Wonder do they now ? Do they use Irish manufacturers to supply all their food in Leinster House, What about the stationery in Dail Eireann ? What about their cleaning products in all Government Departments ? If Mr Noonan wants US to put money into the economy, then I hope himself and his colleagues are going to follow suit !! They should not be going abroad buying items which they could buy here in Ireland when they are on state visits etc……Stand up Mr Noonan & Co and give us people of Ireland a good example of what you want US to do and hopefully WE will follow YOUR lead !!
WHat planet is Noonon on ?? People are in fear of losing their jobs., Water charges, rates and god knows what else stealth taxes are in the pipeline, why on earth should people risk spending their savings (if they are lucky to have any) I really wonder sometimes what sort of people get elected to the Dail, obviously lack of common sense
is not an impediment. !
If (or more like when) the Euro collapses your savings will be worthless anyway. A return to the Punt would see your Euro-denominated savings be severely devalued. Might as well get something for them now.
Tonto, the wealthy will find ways of off loading their savings if there is a currency collapse. Its Joe soap who only has rainy day funds that needs them to pay the months mortgage when they lose their job. What good is in telling them to spend their meager savings because the end is nigh.
Tonto? Is that supposed to be an insult of some sort?
We are already spending..on mortgages,taxes,food,transport,travel,school fees,ect…they want you to spend on useless crap you don’t need.
you don’t need to buy stuff to make you happy.Avoid America’s disease.read or write a book…paint a picture,take up a cause or charity.stop watching X factor or british celebrity shows.follow a Scandinavian model and stop trying to emulate Americans and Brits!
I could not agree more with your comments Jean.
The Man is mad !
And when all those people who have this money to spend have it all spent and have no money left to pay water charges, esb, septic tank charges, car tax, insurance, and what ever other things need to be paid what will happen then ?
VAT, VRT, DIRT,stamp duty, excise duty, telly tax, rental (standing charges) for meters delivering water, gas, electricity, USC, PAYE, Widows and orphans, union subs, bail out Quinn insurance levy, health levy, Carbon tax…
410k people on live register. Where does it all stop?
Spend spend spend….
The simple solution for Mr Noonan is to put all mortgages on the books of the now state owned banks to interest only options for period in excess of 1 year. The debt is still there just added on to the end of the mortgage period and the interest money is still there to pay loan debts that the banks have themselves.
This would instantly put more money in everybody’s pockets as the principal payback on any mortgage in any year is quite small but this action would produce a sustantial injection of cash into the economy every month
Simples ! or would appear to be !
Not everybody has a mortgage. Lots of people, especially young people, still rent. Why do you want to disadvantage the youth further? Trying to drive everybody in their 20s out of the country?
if you dont have a mortgage ,then how would this action drive youth out of the country? this action would put cash back into the economy that is going into the banking system as it is and keep it in peoples pockets and hopefully give the economy the transfusion it needs.
If you dont have a mortgage then it doesnt influence you-im not suggesting you take out a mortgage !
you quite obviously dont understand the concept.
It would benefit those who have a mortgage, while those who are renting get no direct benefit. People who have no mortgage are much more mobile than those who rent, so they can up and leave the country much more easily. This measure would have to be funded by the tax payer, renters pay tax too. Why should they have to pay for this on top of everything else when it will be of no benefit to them?
I fully understand the concept, I think that you don’t understand my argument.
Given the cost of nursing homes, the uncertainty of the fair deal scheme and the lack of provision of care for the elderly, if I was 50+ with a bit of money in the bank I would be saving for the rainy day. There is no let up on what is happening, the government response to spend if you have it is a bit ridiculous altogether.
Well
Spend thats what got us into this mess. How can people spend money they dont own. Noonan would be better off finding ways to reduce our cost of living start with the doctors mine 65 euro a visit it is a disgrace. so dont visit him.supermarkets a joke prices change up and down depends on sell by date .etc they could use there good energy by living the life of one person out of work and they would not be making these crazy statements.!!!
..
Dear Mr. Noonan. Please stop spending our money on Japanese cars for the Gardai. How many 11D Toyotas have you purchased? Japan invests little or nothing in Ireland. You should be supporting those who support us with government spend spend spend….
The government is the biggest purchaser of goods and services. I note there are very few major projects in progress contributing to the starvation of cash flow in our economy. We are still renting portable cabins for class rooms. Have these demountable buildings removed and build classrooms at our schools providing decent accommodation for our Children and employment for our adults.
Stop spending money on welfare tourism, childrens allowances for children who were never in the state.
Get your house in order before you tell me to go spend, spend, spend.
P.S. Will we have enough road salt for this winter?
of course we will we might have no food to put it on!!!!!!!!!
ha ha ha…he can say that. he does not have to survive on his saving as the support gets less and less….. i am a long parent without support and am at a ce scheme in the moment. i save my ARSE to have something after it is finished nxt year. and i should spend that/? that can only be a suggestion of a minister of millions and milions every month! crazy! YOU SPEND!
Lets go spend our all money in Tesco or burger king or Argos or hmv or boots.
The problem started when our banks stopped deposit based lending. Even if the government and banks have not learnt anything by this recession, then the citizens of Ireland have, and if they have any money at all after stealth taxes, medical bills, rising Energy bills, then they are been sensible and saving it !
Yea, while old egg head puts his money given by us to him into german stocks and bonds.If he wants confidence stop hitting people that cant afford it.But no selfish git..
Its simple the people who are the domestic economy Low and middle earners are getting hit worst by the govt, and there buisness buddies. Tax and cut people who can afford it people 100k who save o…r invest abroad. Mr Bruton/ IBEQ/ISME buddys do you not think it makes more sence having 4 people on 25k having money 4 a meal in your resterant than 1 on 150k having one meal This is what short sighted greed will do to your buisness NO DEMAND=NO BUISNESS yet its the JLCs and minimum wage they go after.greed will bite them in the ass.”There is no economic , moral or social why there cant be a 3rd rate of tax on earnings over 100k” apart from the usual look after your own..(greed)
Poor Michael,looks like he is running out of ideas.He must me very desperate to ask the ‘general public’ for a bail out.And me thinking we had become wiser and learned from the Spend-For-The Sake-Of-It times of old.
The bank just hiked my mortgage protection up by almost 50 euro a month, so technically I’m spending more. Permanent TSB robbers!
John, you do not have to take the mortgage protection from your bank ,you should shop around for better price. I thought you had to stay with the protection you have when you first take out your loan but that is not the case. You could save a tidy package by shopping around…good luck
Give us wages like Noonan has (with expenses , of course!!) and then we might spend.
Take money of the ‘pensions’ you say you cannot touch, (his, for example) and that will also help.
I do agree with an earlier comment, they no nothing about the real world (except when it comes to election time, then they visit the ‘mere mortals’)
makes sense to the people that can afford to do so however if the government made it clear what the future tax changes and cuts are going to be the people would have more confidence.
Money Money Money, Must be funny – in a rich mans world, Money Money Money – Always sunny, In a rich mans world.!!!! Abba were so so right……way ahead of their time It seems……
Some people do not have any money to spend or any savings left given all this GOVERMENT has taken off the people and still taking ARE, Why does’nt MR NOONAN spend his big fat wallet and get all the big tycoons with their big fat wallets to spend or even better let them take the next lot of BIG CUTS THATS COMMING DOWN THE ROAD. MOST honest , hardworking People in this country have no money left to spend ,THE GOVERMENT PAST AND PRESENT TOOK IT ALL.
They are Pigs at the trough.just wait till you see how bad things are in a couple of years when people are hungry.
that’s when the action starts…i wouldn’t want to be in theirposition.
Even those who are fortunate enough to have some money to spend will be keeping one eye on the future, wondering what extra taxes & charges will soon be demanded from them.
They will do a few mythical things like “budgeting” and “living within their means”. Successive governments (including this one) would do well to learn these skills.
Suggesting more spending in the face of such an uncertain future is pure lunacy.
Sure, in principle, “we” should spend, spend, spend – but “I” can’t take that risk.
ill try to Drink Drink Drink more….Hic..
Spend,spend,spend, why doesn’t he cut cut cut or fix fix fix, rather than the current Tax,Tax Tax policy. Tax kills the economy. he doesn’t seem to get that! The worst is yet to come so I’l keep my money laden mattress for when the euro goes pop, thanks mickey.
How about writing off the bad debt of mortgage default thus allowing people to stay in their own homes thus freeing up money with which we can then start spending back into the local community. At the moment, the mortgage is taking up the vast majority of the income of most Irish households. We’ve bailed out banks with nothing to show for it. Bail out mortgage holders and have an immediate result!
Charlie mc creavy said the same thing, see where that got us. Cut the dole in half, cut the huge profits the supermarkets make and screw the bond holders, then start again
Problem with McCreevy’s thinking (if he actually did any) is that he encouraged spending into an overheating economy. This was irresponsible, self-serving vote-buying, and fed Bertie’s ego and his own with media tales of Bentleys and Bling, when what we needed was sober, responsible leadership.
Now that we need to encourage spending, the few with money are rightly cautious about what the disaster will bring next, so ten out of ten for intentions, Minister, but don’t hold your breath.
Also, given that the lowest incomes yield the highest percentage in spending and an almost non-existent propensity to save, it would not be smart to slash the dole. Greater vigilance and means-testing would definitely save money though.
Secondly, given that Tesco have only today announced 522 new jobs, intervention in supermarket trade could be counterproductive. This is one area where the free market has to prevail. Customers alone have the power to change prices.
dont agree with cutting the dole in half. That is nonsense, people on dole not to blame for this mess. Have you tried to live on €188 a week or whatever it is? THERE ARE NO JOBS OUT THERE in case you hadnt noticed. Agree with bond holders and supermarkets tho. Tesco calls us “Treasure Island” aint that food for thought.
Know there has to be incentives at times for people in prominent positions on boards of companies etc….but surely the real incentive should be that if they do their job correctly for a decent salary, they will get another year of STAYING in their job ? Not getting bonuses of over 106,000 for DOING THEIR JOB !!! Do any of the normal people of Ireland get bonuses for doing their job correctly ? No, but if they do not do it to the best of their ability they are SACKED !! Mr Noonan, please change the rules before it it too late…
The celtic credit bubble created the illusion of prosperity…too much focus on the reward and payoff(party) and not enough on the work,creation of industry and improvement of the infrastructure.Naturally the availability of the gargantuan pot of easy cash was too much of a temptation for wanker bankers, developers and politicians who…let’s face it,
a high percentage would be career criminals if not in their positions.so they can’t really help it the poor things…LOL!
The shady corrupt GOBSHITES of a government & their pals with the brown envelopes got the genuine people of Ireland into this in the first place , they can’t get us out or we stop THEIR wages . So grow a pair and own up to the mistakes.
Yes,the Irish government is corrupt and always has been since the birth of the republic.This one is no different except that you have a prissy fop at the head of it.
And what they fail to tell the Irish public whom they dismiss as a flock of sheep that will accept anything thrown their way after a couple of people moan and groan to Joe Duffy on daytime radio,is that America itself is changing
and curbing their spending…they have to.
dear mr noonan =,, any chance of a loan interest free please evrything i do to keep my family together seems to be causing me more this year but i have less money , such as petrol, insurance. education ,food any many other essentials to many i fear to mention so can you sort out this conundrum of how the people of the country are not spending oh i forgot mr noonan your family are reared you can well afford to save on your over inflated wages and expenses and put your money in foreign bonds oh excuse i am starting to feel sick i need to find money somewhere for my gp now look what you done you pratt;;; niceway of making it work
p.s mortgages, health, ssc, etc,etc,etc
I hope someone forwards all these comments to DoF for analysis for the Minister. Earlier in the week, a poll said the gov were becoming more popular. Where is reality?
Ya Mickey great idea spent more to boost the country
And then give it to CEO of semi state quangos like the male inthe DDA
Ya sure they do what they want ye no control.
Yer like the muppet show pull strings ,
Isn’t “spend, spend, spend” exactly the attitude that got us into this mess in the first place…?
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