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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
World
Helen Davidson in Taipei

China announces lunar new year censorship crackdown to silence Covid ‘rumours’

Chinese paramilitary police wear face masks outside the entrance to the Beijing Railway Station
Police wear face masks outside the entrance to the Beijing Railway Station. Chinese authorities have announced an online crack down on Covid “rumours” across lunar new year Photograph: Mark Schiefelbein/AP

Chinese cyber authorities have announced an internet censorship crackdown to ensure there are no “gloomy sentiments” caused by pandemic “rumours” during the lunar new year festival.

It comes as health forecasting firm Airfinity estimated more than 600,000 people have likely died since zero-Covid restrictions were lifted in December – 10 times more than Chinese authorities have officially declared.

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