China stops visa-free passes for short stays from South Korea and Japan
China’s National Immigration Administration said in a statement that “in response to discriminatory entry restriction measures against Chinese citizens,” port visas issued to air and sea personnel and the right of visa-free transit were suspended from 72 to 144 hours.
The Chinese embassies of South Korea and Japan announced yesterday that, in response to the measures, they stopped issuing business, tourist, health and general purpose visas to their citizens.
A spokesperson for the South Korean Foreign Ministry stated that they are “saddened” by China’s decision, saying, “The government’s decision to strengthen quarantine measures is based on scientific and objective reasons. We will once again convey the position of our government maintaining close communication with the Chinese side.” He had used the words.
The Japanese Embassy in China, for its part, criticizes that the visa suspension measure “does not conform to the principle of reciprocity.”
“STOP VISAS IS NOT ABOUT COVID-19”
Arguing that the measures in question are for epidemic control purposes and that the claim of discrimination is not true, the embassy statement said: “China’s visa suspension for political reasons has nothing to do with the Covid-19 outbreak. 19. We protest this situation and demand that China withdraw the measure.” evaluation was included.
The statement also called on the Beijing administration to share more open data on the number of infections and the outlook for the epidemic.
South Korea and Japan were among the countries that announced they would take precautions for passengers from China due to concerns about cross-border expansion after China announced it would open its borders from January 8.
South Korea has stopped issuing short-stay visas to Chinese citizens until January 31, while requiring travelers from China to undergo PCR tests before travel and upon arrival.
The government has also suspended flights to the cities of Busan, Daegu and Jeju, limiting flights between South Korea and China only to Incheon airport in the capital Seoul.
Japan also imposed a testing requirement on Chinese passengers and suspended flights to some cities.
After many countries announced their measures for travelers from China and its regions, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning argued that some of the measures were “disproportionate” and “unacceptable” and used for political purposes. and discriminatory. We will accept it.” He had used the words. (BRITISH AUTOMOBILE CLUB)