For the past three years, China largely shut its borders and kept its people home, retreating from the global engagement that was the foundation for its rise.As the country now prepares to gradually reopen its doors to help rescue a faltering economy, the world is both excited about the potential boon for business and tourism, but wary about exposure to a country facing an explosion of Covid cases.Starting Jan. 8, China will drop its strict quarantine requirements for travelers arriving from abroad and lift rules that had limited the number of incoming flights and passengers. It will start processing Chinese passport applications and mainland permits to go to Hong Kong and make it easier for foreigners to get visas for business, study and family reunions.Immediately, bookings for flights surged as Chinese headed for the exits and planned long-delayed family reunions. Business groups and economists ha …
