This discussion features Simon Cox, a China economics expert from The Economist, and Simon Speakman-Kordahl, who writes about the growing cycling movement in the Arab world. They dive into the challenges of China's zero-COVID policy amid the Omicron variant, revealing its toll on the economy and consumer confidence. Additionally, they explore the unexpected economic benefits of historical gulags in Russia and the rising popularity of cycling in the Arab region, linking it to transport efficiency and political activism.