In response to Covid’s restrictions on Chinese travelers, China has stopped issuing short-term visas to people from South Korea and Japan.
According to Beijing, the suspension of visas for South Korea will continue until “discriminatory” entry restrictions against China are lifted.
Not only are Japan and South Korea imposing entry requirements on travelers from China, where the number of Covid cases is rising, but they are also among the most stringent.
The Chinese foreign ministry characterized South Korea’s suspension of China-bound tourist visas as “unacceptable” and “unscientific.”
In the meantime, China is currently permitted to visit Japan provided that they do not test positive for Covid. Similar to the United Kingdom and the United States, Japan also restricts flights from China to specific Japanese cities.
The new visa restrictions for visitors to China were confirmed by Beijing’s embassies in Seoul and Tokyo.
As part of its decision to end its “zero-Covid” policy, China reopened its borders on Sunday for the first time since March 2020.
South Korea’s foreign ministry told the BBC that its policy regarding arrivals from China was “in accordance with scientific and objective evidence” in response to China’s most recent visa restrictions.
Before the introduction of visa restrictions, approximately a third of all arrivals from China tested positive for Covid, according to the Disease Control and Prevention Agency of South Korea.
Official celebrity deaths raise concerns about China’s Covid toll. At Seoul’s Incheon International airport, the only South Korean airport that still allows flights from China, military personnel wearing personal protective equipment greet arrivals.
As they were led to the airport testing center, the BBC was able to speak with some of them.
Personally, I believe it is fine. William, a Shanghai-based businessman, stated, “During this pandemic, I have been through much worse.” I just try to follow the rules as much as I can as a traveler.”
However, a different passenger disagreed.
Emily, who had just arrived from Hong Kong, stated, “In my mind it’s not scientific at all.” She had to take a test, like people from mainland China.
“I think this side is a little bit unfair. I suppose they must have felt extremely unsafe.
Although not all South Koreans are convinced that the decision to protect their nation from China’s coronavirus outbreak is solely medical, many support the idea.
“There is a political component to it, and the bilateral relationship is not favorable. According to Jinsun, who was on his way to Abu Dhabi, “Many Koreans hold a lot of animosity blaming China for the coronavirus.”
Another honeymooner traveling to Paris stated that South Korea might not have implemented such rules if China were not the target nation. EU “strongly” urges Covid testing for China travel.
She stated, “But then again, China would have a problem with it regardless of what we did.”
The South Korean restrictions are expected to last at least until the end of the month, giving scientists enough time to look for any new Chinese variants.
“At the moment, there is no transparency in China regarding any monitoring for new variants. “It would be a very difficult situation for the whole world if a new variant comes from China,” Korea University infectious diseases expert and government adviser Professor Kim Woo Joo told the BBC.
The Korean healthcare system would also suffer as a result. We have already experienced a significant number of hospitalizations and deaths, and our elderly population is also undervaccinated. We are concerned about this.”
Only a select few Chinese business or diplomatic travelers are currently permitted entry into South Korea. Both on arrival and prior to departure, they must pass the test.
One Chinese man who had a positive test got away from a bus that was taking him to a hotel that was quarantined near the airport. He was apprehended by police in a Seoul hotel two days later.
Arrivals are greeted by military personnel wearing personal protective equipment at Seoul’s Incheon International airport, the only South Korean airport that still allows flights from China.
As they were led to the airport testing center, the BBC was able to speak with some of them.
Personally, I believe it is fine. William, a Shanghai-based businessman, stated, “During this pandemic, I have been through much worse.” I just try to follow the rules as much as I can as a traveler.”
However, a different passenger disagreed.
Emily, who had just arrived from Hong Kong, stated, “In my mind it’s not scientific at all.” She had to take a test, like people from mainland China.
“I think this side is a little bit unfair. I suppose they must have felt extremely unsafe.
Although not all South Koreans are convinced that the decision to protect their nation from China’s coronavirus outbreak is solely medical, many support the idea.
