Authorities quickly cracked down on the demonstrations, sending security forces into the streets and deploying their high-tech surveillance systems against protesters.
However, he also began easing restrictions, with some Chinese cities temporarily rolling back mass testing and curbs on movement.
And once dominated coverage of virus threats and scenes of pandemic chaos abroad, China’s state-run media has shifted dramatically from favoring a move away from zero-Covid.
There were immediate signs of relief in China after Wednesday’s announcement.
“It’s time to open up, it’s been three years, we must open up completely,” a Beijing resident told AFP.
“People need to work and eat, you can’t just tell people not to come out of their homes anymore,” he said.
“If people are worried now, they should stay at home and avoid coming out, other people need to work and live lives.”