CHINA: Urban Factors Influencing COVID-19 Incidence Under Central-Local Interaction

This chapter delves into the urban factors influencing COVID-19 incidence in China, focusing on the interplay between central and local governments in four major cities: Shanghai, Chengdu, Hangzhou, and Zhengzhou. It examines how effective control of pandemics like COVID-19 requires a holistic package of governance strategies and locally adaptive measures. Key topics include the powerful unified deployment of the central government, coordination between central and local governments, government credibility and social cohesion, and adaptive specific measures of local governments such as strict control of infection sources, expertise-dominated leadership, utilisation of technological force, and mobilisation of grassroots power. The chapter offers valuable insights into the success of China's anti-epidemic actions, emphasising the role of a well-coordinated whole-of-society approach and the importance of tailoring strategies to local contexts. By comparing the experiences of these four cities, the chapter highlights the effectiveness of targeted policies, science-minded leadership, techno-driven approaches, and social mobilisation in controlling the pandemic.