[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Kim Hyunjung] The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it is seriously considering resuming the issuance of short-term visas to Chinese-bound Korean nationals.
Wang Wenbin, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a regular briefing on the 13th in response to questions about specific plans to resume the issuance of short-term visas for Korean nationals traveling to China, "South Korea's lifting of visa restrictions on China is a correct step to reduce obstacles to personnel exchanges between the two countries," adding, "We are seriously studying it."
Earlier, the Korean government, seeing that the spread of COVID-19 in China had passed its peak and entered a stabilization phase, announced on the 10th that it would resume issuing short-term visas to arrivals from China, which had been suspended since the 2nd of last month. Visa issuance began on the 11th, the day after the announcement. At a regular briefing on the 10th, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs also mentioned, "China will actively consider equally resuming the review and issuance of short-term visas for Korean nationals traveling to China."
At the briefing on the 13th, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it has "no knowledge" of the unidentified flying objects additionally shot down by the United States, while mentioning that since January last year, American high-altitude objects have illegally intruded into Chinese airspace more than ten times.
Regarding questions about the connection between the objects additionally shot down by the United States and China, the spokesperson said, "We have no knowledge of other unidentified flying objects," and emphasized that irresponsible claims should not be made without clear evidence. Furthermore, the repeated shooting down of flying objects by the United States was described as an "excessive reaction," citing past controversies related to American espionage activities.
In particular, the spokesperson claimed, "Since last year, American high-altitude objects (balloons) have illegally crossed into Chinese airspace more than ten times without approval from relevant Chinese authorities," and added, "The United States should change its attitude and reflect on itself instead of insulting and blaming China." However, when asked further about the specific situations of American balloons intruding into Chinese airspace, the spokesperson only replied, "Ask the American side."
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