The refrain, “after the Party Congress,” has been heard constantly in China. It refers to the idea that once this week’s official National Congress of the Communist Party meeting wraps up on Friday, maybe things will get back to normal after a series of strict pandemic lockdowns.
Chinese American writer Lenora Chu was delighted when she secured a coveted spot a Shanghai kindergarten for her son. Then came the stress, anxiety and confusion. Chu’s new book about China’s education system is called “Little Soldiers.”