Three years since the first cluster of SARS-CoV-2 infections were reported in Wuhan, China has finally put the first nail in the coffin of its strict "COVID Zero" policies. But as Beijing begins to relax its most restrictive rules, citizens remain concerned about ballooning infections, while a low vaccination rate among seniors and vaccine fatigue appear to be dimming hopes of a quick revitalization of the hard-hit economy and bruised consumer confidence.

New planned changes around vaccine approvals and other COVID-19 measures signal China is preparing for a gradual reopening amid its strict policies, but the process could take months.

The first approval of a China-originated mRNA COVID-19 vaccine has come ahead of the key Communist Party Congress and Beijing's next pandemic policy decisions will be closely watched.

Latest announcement from Shanghai government set to open foreign mRNA jabs to the arms of Chinese people, after months of stalling approvals.