As Controversy Over Korean Quarantine Intensifies, Chinese Media Calls "Stricter Controls a Practical Response"

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Park Sun-mi] Chinese media described China's strengthening of regional control levels to prevent overseas COVID-19 re-importation from countries such as Korea and Japan as a "practical response."

On the 26th, the Chinese state-run Global Times reported, "As fears of rapid COVID-19 spread grow in neighboring countries like Japan and Korea, some Chinese cities have raised their alert levels since the 25th and implemented strict entry measures, including enhanced quarantine for foreign arrivals." The strict entry measures mentioned in the article include the Shandong Province governments of Qingdao and Weihai tightening entry restrictions on Koreans, requiring arrivals to quarantine for 14 days at designated hotels.

The newspaper pointed out, "These strict Chinese restrictions contrast with the goodwill and assistance neighboring countries showed during the early outbreak of COVID-19 in the Wuhan region. As a result, criticism has flooded the internet, accusing China of displaying selfishness and ingratitude due to fears of virus spread."

As controversy surged online between Koreans and Chinese over China's measures, the newspaper emphasized that the strengthened controls against COVID-19 re-importation in various regions are very reasonable.

Quoting experts, it explained, "These methods are China's practical, scientific, and rational responses," adding, "The approach China has chosen is the only way to prevent the spread of COVID-19." It further noted, "If reinfections spread again, all efforts to control COVID-19 so far will be in vain, and the global fight against COVID-19 will reach a deadlock."

Meanwhile, as some regions in China strengthen controls by testing all arrivals from Korea or enforcing mandatory quarantine to prevent COVID-19 re-importation, the number of new confirmed cases in China has decreased to the 500s. According to the National Health Commission of China, on the 24th, the nationwide increase in COVID-19 confirmed cases was limited to 508, with new cases outside Hubei Province dropping to single digits at 9.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.