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Good morning for the Financial Times. Today is Monday, May 9th, and this is your FT News Briefing.

China is sticking to its zero COVID lockdown policy, even though it's hurting the economy.

And Africa's biggest COVID vaccine plant was key to helping the continent access more jabs,

but it's had to suspend production.

And for those production lines to be permanently shut down if that were to happen,

this would be a huge blow.

Plus, we'll tell you about a food fight between two vegan meat companies.

I'm Jess Smith, Infermark, Filipino, and here's the news you need to start your day.

US defense manufacturers have seen their stock prices jump since Russia invaded Ukraine,

Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and others are in for a windfall as Western

government's increased defense spending. But as they ramp up production to meet demand,

they have to navigate supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, and rising prices.

Raytheon's chief executive said it'll be hard to find titanium that's not from Russia.

He also said his company's stinger, shoulder-fired missile will need a redesign

since some of the components are no longer commercially available.

By one estimate, a quarter of the stinger stockpile has gone to Ukraine.

China's leader Xi Jinping on Friday restated his commitment to a zero COVID policy.

This means continued strict lockdowns and cities across the country.

Chinese citizens are confined to their homes and offices, even fenced in,

and they're increasingly angry.

...