Beijing, Jan. 16 -- Chinese people are embracing a bustling winter after the country downgraded its COVID-19 management policies.

It'sa breakthrough in the country'sthree-year fight against the pandemic, but challenges still lie ahead.

Lives protected

Chinahas seen declining numbers of fever patients, emergency visits and critical COVID-19 cases across the country, according to statements at a press conference held by the State Council joint COVID-19 prevention and control mechanism on Saturday.

The number of critical cases in hospitals peaked onJanuary 5at 128,000, and dropped to 105,000 onJanuary 12, said Jiao Yahui, head of the Bureau of Medical Administration under the National Health Commission (NHC).

To strike a balance between...