1 / 9China reported a slight decline in new COVID-19 cases on Saturday as numerous cities battled outbreaks, and as restaurants and other businesses in Beijing shut after authorities urged people to stay home over the weekend.2 / 9Under a series of measures unveiled last week, authorities have sought to be more targeted in applying COVID-19 curbs that are taking a heavy toll on the economy and fuelling public frustration and anger, sparking investor hopes this week for more significant easing.3 / 9However, China continues to emphasise its commitment to its zero-Covid policy, which Beijing argues saves lives, and outbreaks in numerous cities lead to ongoing localised lockdowns4 / 9Beijing's Chaoyang district, home to embassies and large office buildings, urged residents to stay home this weekend after the city reported a record 466 infections for Thursday.5 / 9Beijing is going through a big exam,' city government spokesperson Xu Hejian told a Friday media briefing.6 / 9City officials warned of rising community spread and said prevention and control 'is at a critical moment,'7 / 9On Friday, China reported 25,129 new local infections, up from 23,132 a day earlier and nearing its record of over 29,000 recorded in April during the height of Shanghai's outbreak.8 / 9Wall Street bank Goldman Sachs, which recently trimmed its fourth quarter China growth forecast to 3 per cent from 3.6 per cent due to localised COVID curbs, expects continued disruptions before gradual reopening, which it predicts will start in April.9 / 9China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism issued guidelines to travel agencies, entertainment and performance venues removing limits on numbers of people allowed at theatres and events such as concerts and music festivals in low-risk areas without outbreaks.