SHANGHAI -- China on Friday relaxed its controversial virus measures, triggering a rally on mainland and Hong Kong stock markets. But the easing comes after Beijing signaled it had no plans to ditch its zero-COVID strategy.
The country is battling a fresh nationwide outbreak, with infections jumping to their highest levels since a two-month lockdown in Shanghai that started in April, and as millions in the southern manufacturing hub Guangzhou were ordered into lockdown this week.
