In retaliation for Covid restrictions on Chinese travelers, China has ceased providing short-term visas to citizens of South Korea and Japan.
Beijing’s embassy in Seoul announced the suspension of visas for South Korean tourists entering China.
In addition, Japanese media stated that China imposed comparable restrictions there.
Beijing says the reciprocal measure will continue in effect until “discriminatory” entrance restrictions against China are abolished.
The Chinese foreign ministry deemed South Korea’s decision to suspend issuing tourist visas to Chinese visitors “unacceptable” and “unscientific”
South Korea’s foreign ministry told that its policy regarding Chinese immigration was “in conformity with scientific and objective evidence” in response to China’s most recent action.
Japan presently allows Chinese travelers to enter the nation, so long as they test negative for the Covid virus.
According to South Korea’s Disease Control and Prevention Agency, around one-third of all Chinese visitors tested positive for Covid before the implementation of visa restrictions.
At Seoul’s Incheon International airport, the only South Korean airport still admitting flights from China, military officers in protective gear greet arriving passengers.
“I find it acceptable. I have endured far worse throughout this pandemic “said Shanghai-based businessman William. “As a traveler, I attempt to adhere to the rules as much as possible.”
Another passenger, though, disagreed.
Arriving from Hong Kong, Emily stated, “In my opinion, that is not at all scientific.” She, like all mainland Chinese travelers, was forced to take a test.
“I believe this side is a little bit unfair. I imagine they must feel insecure.”
Many South Koreans embrace the idea of shielding their country from the coronavirus outbreak in China, but not everyone is convinced that the decision was made only for medical reasons.
“It has a political element, and ties between the two countries are poor. Many Koreans harbor a great deal of hatred toward China for the coronavirus “explained Jinsun, who was traveling to Abu Dhabi.
Another woman on her way to Paris for her honeymoon stated that South Korea might not have enacted such regulations if China were not involved.
“However, China would have a problem with whatever we did,” she remarked.
Hospitalizations and fatalities
The South Korean restrictions are expected to persist at least until the end of the month. Giving scientists ample time to analyze any potential new Chinese variations.
“There is now no transparency in China regarding the monitoring of new varieties. Professor Kim Woo Joo, an infectious diseases expert at Korea University and a government advisor. Told that if a new variation emerges from China, the entire world would be in a very precarious position.
“Additionally, it would be disastrous for the Korean healthcare system. Already there are many hospitalizations and fatalities, and our older population is under-vaccinated. This is our greatest concern.”
Currently, only a tiny number of Chinese business or diplomatic travelers are permitted to enter South Korea. They must test negative both before and upon departure.
One Chinese man with a positive test result escaped from a bus transporting him to a motel for quarantine near the airport. Two days later, he was apprehended by authorities in a Seoul hotel.
