China Strikes Only Neighbors... Foreign Media Also Say "China Retaliates Against Korea and Japan"

On the 11th, visitors who came to the China Visa Issuance Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, to inquire about visa issuance, as China completely suspended the issuance of short-term visas to Korean nationals in retaliation against South Korea's strengthened quarantine measures for arrivals from China. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Haeyoung Kwon] As China has successively suspended the issuance of visas for travel to China for South Korea and Japan, foreign media are also analyzing the move as a 'retaliatory' measure.

On the 11th (local time), US CNN reported on this measure, stating, "China has suspended visa issuance for South Korea and Japan as a retaliation against travel restrictions."

CNN analyzed, "Since Beijing eased strict COVID-19 controls last month, many countries have been requiring tests for travelers from China due to concerns over rising infections and information restrictions within China," adding, "This restriction is the Chinese government's first retaliation against sanctions and testing imposed on travelers from China."

AP News also reported, "It appears to be retaliation against countries implementing COVID-19 prevention measures for arrivals from China." It further explained, "The relationship between South Korea and China, the largest trading partners, was once friendly, but deteriorated as China targeted Korean companies, sports teams, and K-pop groups following the deployment of the US anti-missile system in South Korea." This analysis points to the conflict between the two countries since the 2017 decision to deploy THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) and China's subsequent 'Hanhanryeong' (ban on Korean cultural content).

Reuters also described China's recent measures as 'retaliation.' Reuters reported, "Chinese state media defended their retaliatory actions against South Korea and Japan's COVID-19 related regulations as justified," and noted, "Chinese tourists are condemning South Korea's actions as 'insulting' on social media."

Bloomberg also headlined its article on China's visa restrictions as "China strikes back at South Korea and Japan in COVID retaliation."

Following the suspension of short-term visa issuance for South Korea and Japan the previous day, China has now completely suspended visa exemptions for South Korean and Japanese nationals transiting through China. This retaliation came after South Korea and Japan strengthened quarantine measures by mandating COVID-19 tests for travelers from China. However, China has not yet taken similar measures against the US and European Union (EU) countries, which, like South Korea, have also implemented enhanced quarantine measures for arrivals from China.