China's southern technology hub of Shenzhen has closed Huaqiangbei district, home to the world's largest electronics wholesale market till Thursday, as local authorities strengthened measures to curb a fresh Covid-19 outbreak. According to media reports, Shenzhen government yesterday suspended business operations at Huaqiangbei market and put five other sub districts in the commercial hubs of Futian and Luohu under lockdown.

The State media reported several Chinese cities have tightened epidemic prevention measures amid new flare-ups. More than 20 colleges and universities across China including in Beijing, Northwest China's Shaanxi, East China's Fujian, South China's Hainan, Northeast China's Liaoning and Jilin provinces have moved to postpone the starting dates of the new semester to stop the spread of the COVID-19. Premier Li Keqiang visited Shenzhen earlier this month and urged the city to take a lead in 'injecting new dynamism' into stabilising development and growth. However, China's 'Zero-COVID' policy touted by President Xi Jinping often comes at odds with the goal of maintaining economic stability.

The Shenzhen government also ordered the indefinite closure of 24 metro stations, most of them located in Futian and Luohu. All shops in the affected areas have been ordered to shut down, except for essential businesses, such as supermarkets, restaurants and pharmacies. Restaurants are only allowed to provide takeaways. All dine-in services have been suspended. In the latest wave, China is enforcing lockdown restrictions in areas around Beijing more intensively and carrying mass test in the bordering port city of Tianjin, in an effort to wipe out Covid-19 ahead of a key meeting of the Communist Party's top leaders expected in coming October.