People want the zero-COVID policy to end, and CPC ends it. Even if it might be the wrong decision, people speak their voice, and the party listens. Has any protest in the west actually achieve anything?
Xi said in 2005 (it’s important to read theories, bro)
“No matter how correct our policy is, if it is not understood by the masses, it will be difficult to implement it. If the masses don’t listen, you follow the masses first, and if the masses jump into the fire pit, you also jump down. The masses have awakened and climbed out of the fire pit, and they will eventually follow you. If the masses jump, and you don’t, the relationship between the cadres and the masses will be alienated. You jump together, get emotionally closer, and get the job done. What are the characteristics of mass work under the new situation? An important feature is that the people’s awareness of democracy and self-rights protection has been enhanced.”
I’m obviously not living in China, so maybe my experience and viewpoint should be taken with a mountain of salt. But I’m pretty sure China takes everyone’s voices into account, and is always education and explaining their policies. I think its reasonable that some zero-covid strategies are softened and more use of quarantine and at-home isolation is used right now.