Fresh Covid outbreaks put millions under lockdown in China

Tens of millions of people were under lockdown across China on Wednesday and businesses in a major tourist city were forced to close as fresh Covid clusters sparked fears of even wider restrictions.

Chinese health authorities reported more than 300 infections in the historic northern city of Xi'an -- home to the Terracotta Army -- and the country's biggest city Shanghai.

The outbreaks and the official response have dashed hopes that China would move away from the kinds of strict virus curbs seen earlier this year, when its hardline zero-Covid policy saw tens of millions locked down for weeks on end.

In Shanghai, some people on social media reported receiving government food rations -- a throwback to the months-long confinement forced on the city's residents in the spring.