[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Kim Hyunjung] The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has described the government's suspension of short-term visa issuance to South Korean nationals as a "reciprocal measure."
Wang Wenbin, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated at a regular briefing on the 10th that the background for suspending visa issuance to South Korea and Japan is that "a few countries ignore scientific facts and their own infectious disease situations and continue to insist on discriminatory entry restrictions targeting China," adding, "We firmly oppose this and have taken reciprocal measures."
Although South Korea was not explicitly mentioned, this acknowledges that the suspension of visa processing for these "few countries" is a "reciprocal measure" in response to the other countries' strengthened quarantine measures. He further explained, "After China announced the easing of COVID-19 prevention measures, some countries imposed restrictions on entrants from China," and "China has made every effort to communicate sufficiently with the relevant countries and provided detailed information on the quarantine and infectious disease situations."
Additionally, he emphasized, "We once again appeal to the relevant countries to base their actions on facts and implement scientific and appropriate quarantine measures," and "Political manipulation should be avoided, discriminatory methods should not be used, and normal interpersonal exchanges and cooperative exchanges between countries should not be affected."
Earlier, the Chinese Embassy in South Korea announced that starting from this day, the Chinese Embassy and Consulate General in South Korea will suspend the issuance of short-term visas for South Korean nationals visiting China for purposes including visits, commercial trade, tourism, medical treatment, and general personal matters. The embassy added that this measure "will be adjusted according to the cancellation of discriminatory entry restrictions imposed by South Korea on China."
The South Korean government had suspended the issuance of short-term visas for travel from China to South Korea and restricted additional flights, considering the rapid spread of COVID-19 infections within China. Travelers from China were required to submit a negative PCR test result within 48 hours before entry and were also mandated to undergo COVID-19 testing after arrival. Since then, the Chinese government has repeatedly expressed its position to take reciprocal measures.
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