The COVID-19 pandemic has affected international relations and caused diplomatic tensions, as well as resulted in a United Nations Security Council resolution demanding a global ceasefire. Some scholars have argued that the pandemic necessitates a significant rethinking of existing approaches to international relations, with a greater focus on issues such as health diplomacy, the politics of crisis, and border politics. Others have argued that the pandemic is unlikely to lead to significant changes in the international system.

China and a small number of other countries have pursued an elimination strategy, also known as a “zero-COVID strategy” which aims to eliminate local transmission of the virus. The initial public health response was successful in reducing transmission to near zero within China. In the 18 months following the successful containment of the initial outbreak in China, the country suffered two COVID-19 deaths. During the COVID-19 pandemic in mainland China, the government of China pursued a zero-COVID strategy to prevent the domestic spread of COVID-19. Aspects of the response have been controversial, with the zero-COVID approach being praised and the government’s lack of transparency, censorship, and spread of misinformation being criticized.

The first part of UN Biodiversity Conference took place in a virtual format, from 11-15 October 2021. The second part of COP 15 was expected to take place face-to-face meeting in Kunming, China.  After several date changes, this 2nd part was decided to move to Montreal, Canada. CBD secretariat announced this decision on 21 June 2022.