China calls on countries to lift travel restrictions after partially relaxing visa suspension for Japan, South Korea

Record ID: 1706663

  • Title: China calls on countries to lift travel restrictions after partially relaxing visa suspension for Japan, South Korea
  • Date: 16th January 2023
  • Summary: BEIJING, CHINA (JANUARY 16, 2023) (REUTERS) CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESPERSON WANG WENBIN WALKING IN FOR REGULAR NEWS CONFERENCE JOURNALISTS SEATED (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESPERSON, WANG WENBIN, SAYING: "China has always believed that the epidemic prevention measures of various countries should be scientific and of an appropriate degree, sho
  • Embargoed: 30th January 2023 10:05
  • Keywords: COVID-19 China Japan South Korea borders coronavirus pandemic travel visa suspension visas
  • Location: BEIJING, CHINA
  • City: BEIJING, CHINA
  • Country: China
  • Topics: Asia / Pacific,Health/Medicine
  • Reuters ID: LVA001275116012023RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:Beijing called on countries to "cancel discriminatory measures" against travellers from China, after Kyodo news agency reported on Monday (January 16) that China has partially relaxed visa suspension for some travellers from Japan and South Korea.
    Beijing has issued a small number of visas for some diplomatic, public and emergency business travellers after the suspension, to prepare for the normalisation of transportation when the two countries ease border controls, Kyodo said, citing a Chinese government official.
    After three years of isolation from the outside world, China on January 8 dropped quarantine mandates for inbound visitors in a move expected to eventually also stimulate outbound travel. But concerns about China's outbreak has prompted more than a dozen countries to demand negative COVID test results from people arriving from China.
    Among them, South Korea and Japan have also limited flights and require tests on arrival, with passengers showing up as positive being sent to quarantine.
    In a deepening spat between the regional rivals, China has in turn stopped issuing short-term visas and suspended transit visa exemptions for South Korean and Japanese nationals.
    (Production: Alessandra Diviggiano, Phyllis Xu)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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