China called the mounting international restrictions on travelers from its territory “unacceptable” on Tuesday after over a dozen countries placed fresh COVID curbs on visitors from the world’s most populous nation.
More than a dozen countries, including Britain, Japan, Israel, South Korea and the United States, have stepped up Covid-19 curbs on travelers from China.
The restrictions come as Beijing prepares to reopen its borders on January 8, just over a month after lifting its zero-Covid policy.
“We are firmly opposed to the practice of manipulating pandemic measures for political goals, and will take corresponding measures according to the principle of reciprocity and according to different situations,” Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said yesterday.
China’s steep rise in infections comes after Beijing abruptly lifted years of hardline restrictions last month, with hospitals and crematoriums quickly overwhelmed.
Beijing denounced entry restrictions on Chinese travelers as unscientific and “unacceptable” and vowed to reciprocate measures imposed by countries such as Morocco, which has declared a blanket ban on those arriving from China.
More than a dozen countries, including Britain, Japan, South Korea and the United States, have stepped up Covid-19 curbs on travelers from China.
The restrictions come as Beijing prepares to reopen its borders on January 8, just over a month after lifting its zero-Covid policy.
Japan mandates Covid-19 testing for visitors from mainland China amid Covid-19 surge
The requirements for travelers from China include preflight Covid-19 tests, in-flight masking and arrival tests. Morocco has taken it a step further and banned entry to all travelers arriving from mainland China.
The latest measures “do not in any way affect the strong friendship between the two peoples, and the strategic partnership between the two countries”, the Moroccan foreign ministry said on Sunday.
The new restrictions on travelers from China include mandatory Covid-19 tests, in-flight masking and even blanket bans on arrivals.