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Kate Adie introduces insight, wit and analysis from BBC correspondents and writers.

Kate Adie introduces insight, wit and analysis from BBC correspondents, journalists and writers telling stories from around the world.

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From Our Own Correspondent: China's Great Reopening

14/01/2023

China's Great Reopening

BBC Radio 4 - From Our Own Correspondent, China's Great Reopening

China reopens borders after easing Covid restrictions as the New Year festival approaches.

China reopens borders after easing Covid restrictions as the New Year festival approaches and as cases surge across the country.

Kate Adie presents stories from China, Brazil, Sri Lanka, the US and Portugal.

China has opened up its borders again ahead of the New Year festival. Late last year, Xi Jinping eased Covid restrictions after anti-Zero Covid protests, which has led to a surge in cases across major cities and provinces. Many in the country are divided about whether to savour their new-found freedoms and travel, or stay put to protect elderly relatives, says Stephen McDonnell.

The storming of Brazil's congress, presidential palace and supreme court by supporters of Jair Bolsonaro has led many to draw parallels with the attack on the Capitol building in Washington in 2021. Katy Watson looks at who the protestors are and who might be behind them.

Zeinab Badawi is in the Sri Lankan capital, Colombo, where she meets Sinhalese artist, Jagath, whose work mainly focuses on the country's brutal history. She hears the story of how one of his monuments to commemorate those who died in the conflict was destroyed in favour of a new building project.

David Adams is in Miami, Florida, where, during a stroll one day, he encounters some iguanas which have fallen from surrounding trees. And although Florida escaped much of the worst of the recent freeze in the US, he reflects on whether these creatures could be a canary in the coal mine for climate change.

Alastair Leithead chose to move to southern Portugal for a more settled life, after years on the road as a foreign correspondent. He writes about his experiences of trying to live an off-grid lifestyle - and some of its challenges.

Series Producer: Serena Tarling
Editor: China Collins 
Production Coordinator: Iona Hammond

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