Chinese Foreign Ministry: "Entry Ban, an Unavoidable Temporary Measure"

[Asia Economy Reporter Seulgina Jo] China defended its de facto ban on entry to prevent the re-importation of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) as an "unavoidable measure."

According to Yonhap News Agency, on the 27th, Geng Shuang, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a regular briefing in response to the criticism that "China previously criticized other countries for blocking travel as causing panic," that "this is a temporary measure unavoidably taken by referring to the methods of several countries in response to the current COVID-19 situation."

The previous night, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Immigration Administration announced that foreigners holding valid residence visas and residence permits would not be allowed to enter from 0:00 on the 28th. In relation to this, the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Chinese Ambassador to Korea Xing Haiming in the afternoon to protest, with Deputy Minister Kim Geon attending.