China’s approach and measures, as briefly described here, offer important lessons for other countries that are now facing COVID-19 and its economic, social and environmental impacts. The rapidity of the spread of the pandemic, combined with how complex and interrelated our world is, makes such an assessment only a starting point for guidance. Some of the short-term impacts are obvious and significant, notably the loss of lives, social distress, anxiety, economic downturn, and loss in jobs and income. Other long- and short-term impacts, such as on inequality, multidimensional poverty and value chain structures, will necessitate more time and data to be fully evaluated.