China tech hub Shenzhen faces another Covid-19 lockdown

Authorities in China’s southern city of Shenzhen shut the world’s largest electronics market of Huaqiangbei and suspended services at 24 nearby subway stations on 29 August in a bid to curb an outbreak of Covid-19, according to a report by Reuters.

Three buildings in Huaqiangbei – a busy shopping area that is home to thousands of stalls selling computer components, mobile phone parts and microchips – will remain closed until 2 September.

Shenzhen suffered a month-long lockdown in the spring, while a two-month lockdown was imposed upon China’s biggest city, Shanghai, which is home to the world’s largest container port.

In mid-April, the Guardian newspaper quoted a Huawei executive who warned that China’s stringent zero-Covid policy may trigger “massive losses” for the tech industry.