Tokyo | China will lock down Shanghai in two phases after rising COVID-19 cases forced authorities to back down on promises they would not impose a city-wide shutdown as the country enters a critical phase of its battle against the pandemic.

Shanghai’s financial district started a four-day lockdown on Monday under restrictions imposed on half of the city of 26 million people as daily case numbers hit 3600. Importers and exporters braced for more disruptions to critical supply chains, which will have global ramifications.