China Strictly Controls Citizens' Departures... Some Voices of Opposition Emerge

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] China’s zero-COVID policy, which had focused on controlling external inflows, is expanding to restrict its own citizens’ departures. Some voices are raising objections, saying the criteria for restrictions are unclear.

On the 12th, the Immigration Administration under China’s Ministry of Public Security announced via its WeChat account that it would strictly limit “unnecessary departures” of its citizens. Accordingly, it also stated that the issuance of various travel-related documents will be strictly controlled going forward.

Until now, China has strengthened border controls by mandating over three weeks of self-quarantine and nucleic acid testing for incoming travelers, viewing the spread of COVID-19 as potentially caused by people and goods entering from overseas. However, it is now expanding its control targets to its own citizens, aiming to regulate overseas travel that anticipates re-entry after departure.

However, the authorities have not clearly defined the standards for what constitutes “unnecessary departures,” leading to backlash. On social networking services (SNS), critical posts of the government’s policy have spread, saying things like, “Do not leave the country unnecessarily, do not leave the city unnecessarily, do not step outside your door unnecessarily, do not breathe unnecessarily, do not be born unnecessarily.”

Some analysts interpret this as an intention to avoid exposing its citizens, while most countries except China are significantly easing COVID-19 prevention standards, such as lifting outdoor mask mandates and simplifying entry and exit controls.