The World on Alert for Arrivals from China... China to Take "Corresponding Measures"

South Korea, US and 14 Countries Strengthen Quarantine Measures
Chinese State Media: "They Demanded Opening, Now Restricting"

On the afternoon of the 2nd, when mandatory COVID-19 testing for arrivals from China began, passengers from China were waiting to enter at Incheon Airport. From this day forward, all arrivals from China must undergo a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. / Yeongjongdo - Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] As China’s 'With Corona' policy begins, China has taken a tough stance, stating it will respond correspondingly after countries such as South Korea and the United States strengthened quarantine regulations targeting arrivals from China.

Mao Ning, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, responded to related questions at a regular briefing on the 3rd, saying, "We firmly oppose attempts to manipulate infectious disease prevention and control measures for political purposes," and added, "We will take corresponding measures based on the principle of reciprocity." He further warned, "Some countries imposing entry restrictions solely on China lack scientific grounds," and "excessive measures are even more unacceptable."

Additionally, spokesperson Mao criticized, saying, "China consistently believes that each country's quarantine measures should be scientific and appropriate," and "political manipulation or discrimination should not occur, nor should normal exchanges and cooperation be affected."

Amid a surge in COVID-19 infections in China and a simultaneous increase in arrivals from China, the South Korean government has required all individuals entering from China via air or sea routes to undergo COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing starting from the previous day. Besides South Korea, countries including the United States, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom are reported to have strengthened quarantine regulations targeting arrivals from China.

China Central Television (CCTV)’s online media outlet Yangsi (央視) published a commentary titled "Some countries that clamored for China to open are now starting to restrict Chinese people," launching a strong criticism. Yangsi stated, "Some countries, led by the United States, clamored for China to open but have now started doing something else," and criticized, "They announced entry restrictions on travelers from China citing the reason that China’s infectious disease situation could lead to new variants."

Yangsi also argued that the variants currently prevalent in China are BA.5.2 and BF.7, which have been identified worldwide, saying, "This means new variants can appear anywhere, so what is the point of restricting arrivals from China?"

It continued, "Whether China opens or not, the political logic of some people in the United States and Europe is entirely wrong," and claimed, "Their petty political offensives aim to create new divisions and confrontations, which will hinder the world’s efforts to escape the dark clouds of the pandemic."