Sing Haiming: "Maintain Continuous Korea-China Exchanges, Ensure Economic Personnel Interaction"... Foreign Ministry Summons Ambassador Sing

Chinese Government Temporarily Suspends All Foreign Entry from 0:00 on the 28th
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Expresses Regret over Unannounced Measure

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] "If Korean nationals need it, we will continue to assist them in applying for visas at our diplomatic missions."

On the afternoon of the 27th, Chinese Ambassador to Korea Xing Haiming, who visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building for a meeting with Vice Minister Kim Geon, stated this to reporters. He added, "Travel between China and Korea is continuing," and said, "We mainly ensure exchanges involving businesspeople, science and technology, and similar areas."

He also expressed the willingness for Korea-China cooperation in response to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Ambassador Xing said, "We want to continue cooperating with Korea to overcome this crisis and ensure the virus no longer exists in the world," emphasizing, "We will strive to normalize everything and make exchanges and travel between Korea and China closer."

Vice Minister Kim summoned Ambassador Xing regarding the Chinese government's decision on the 26th to ban entry of all foreigners holding visas and residence permits without prior notice. The Chinese government plans to temporarily suspend entry of all foreigners holding valid Chinese entry visas or residence permits starting from 0:00 on the 28th.

Vice Minister Kim expressed concern that this entry restriction, announced by the Chinese government amid the recent decline in new domestic COVID-19 cases and signs of stabilization, could restrict essential activities and exchanges of Korean nationals and companies. He also conveyed regret that despite ongoing communication and cooperation between Korea and China in response to COVID-19, this measure was implemented without prior notice to Korea.

In response, Ambassador Xing evaluated that the COVID-19 situation in Korea has stabilized recently and explained that this Chinese measure was an unavoidable action targeting all countries to strengthen quarantine measures against increased external inflow, asking for understanding.

Additionally, Vice Minister Kim emphasized the need for close communication between both sides to minimize inconvenience and damage to Korean nationals and companies caused by this measure, and urged cooperation to maintain essential business activities of Korean entrepreneurs in China and humanitarian visits.

Ambassador Xing responded by stating that he would actively cooperate to ensure that essential economic, trade, scientific, technological, and humanitarian activities and exchanges between the two sides are maintained, and suggested continuing efforts to overcome COVID-19 quickly so that exchanges between the two countries become closer.