Cina Suspends Visas for Southern Koreans Over COVID Curbs
Beijing has started retaliatory moves against countries which have imposed limitations on Chinese travelers, along with Japan also reportedly targeted.
China on Wednesday suspended short-term visas just for South Koreans traveling to the country for tourism or business.
It comes after Seoul last month imposed a range of restrictions pertaining to Chinese travelers to Southern Korea following a surge in COVID-19 cases. Those procedures included pre-flight testing requirements and visa restrictions.
What China plus South Korea say regarding visas
An online post by the Chineses Charge in Seoul said Chinese embassies and consulates within Korea would “ suspend the issuance of short-term visas for Korean people. ”
This added the measures will be “ adjusted again in line with South Korea’s removal of the discriminatory entry restrictions on China. ”
In a phone call, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang told his South Korean version Park Jin he wished that the “ South Korean side will uphold an objective and scientific attitude. ”
News company Yonhap reported that Jin had China’s top diplomat that the restrictions were being imposed on a “ technological basis. ”
South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo last month justified the “ anti-epidemic measures to prevent the distribute of the virus in our nation. ”
Both countries clashed in August of last year over the application of the US missile defense program THAAD in South Korea.
Travel restrictions on Chinese travelers around the world
China has in the past threatened retaliation against countries imposing COVID-19 checks for Chinese travelers, although China requires travelers to provide the same.
The united states and around a dozen some other countries currently have such measures in place. Germany provides advised against nonessential visit China.
The Kyodo news company reported Tuesday that Beijing had also stopped issuing visas in Japan right after Tokyo tightened rules for arrivals from China.
China reopened its borders for travelers initially in three years on Weekend after starting to lift the majority of its “ zero-COVID” restrictions in December, following rare mass protests in main cities against lockdown policy.
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