OPINION: China’s stringent measures aimed at combating sporadic outbreak of variants of the Covid-19 virus are being blamed for faltering economic activity and the lower energy consumption that has also resulted in a drop in demand for oil and gas imports.
Oil markets are becoming more focused on the impacts that a Chinese strategy for preventing Covid outbreaks will have on the country’s economic growth and demand prospects.
The world second largest energy consumer has been single-mindedly pursuing a zero-tolerance Covid-19 policy, even as critics question whether the Chinese government is balancing concerns about public health and economic well-being effectively.