The Chinese city of Ruili on the southern border is slowly creaking back to life as the country ditches its zero-tolerance Covid strategy after years of strict lockdowns and other gruelling restrictions. Bordering Myanmar, the city was a key battleground in the fight to keep imported Covid cases out of China, with residents living through nearly a dozen lockdowns. Despite the harsh lockdowns, the residents are now optimistic that the city's economy will recover, banking on the city's famed jade and jewellery trade and closeness to Myanmar. Meanwhile in the Myanmar town of Muse, residents share their concerns over soaring Covid cases in China. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES ARRANGED IN SEQUENCES