The King Says 'Korean Pain Is Chinese Pain'... China Strengthens Entry Controls

[Asia Economy Beijing=Correspondent Sunmi Park, Reporter Chulyoung Lim] As the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in China sharply decreases, it has been revealed that entry controls through airports are being strengthened even in the capital, Beijing. Although Wang Yi, China's State Councilor in charge of foreign affairs and Foreign Minister, comforted Kang Kyung-wha, South Korea's Foreign Minister, during a phone call the day before by saying "Korea's difficulties are China's difficulties," the reality was different.

According to the aviation industry and diplomatic sources in Beijing on the 27th, Beijing Capital International Airport has adopted a policy since the day before that when flights arrive from Korea, airport staff check passengers' fever status and passenger information while passengers remain seated, before disembarking the plane. Temperature checks are also conducted before boarding, and passengers with a fever (37 degrees Celsius or higher) before boarding are denied boarding. If a passenger develops a fever during the flight, it is reported to the airport quarantine officials upon arrival, and testing is conducted through separate procedures. In Shanghai, if a passenger is found to have a fever (37.3 degrees Celsius) or COVID-19 symptoms after the plane arrives, they are transported to a hospital or quarantined at a designated hotel for observation.

Guangzhou Airport has not taken special measures other than asking about visits to Daegu and Gyeongbuk within the last 14 days during immigration checks, but starting from this day, all passengers boarding flights from Korea are instructed to pre-submit their contact information and addresses. Xiamen Airport in Fujian Province also requires passengers to register their personal information on a specially prepared Xiamen government internet account upon arrival. Even if asymptomatic, passengers must self-quarantine for 14 days after returning to their residence.

Earlier, at Weihai Airport in Shandong Province, Korean arrivals were forcibly quarantined for two consecutive days on the 25th and 26th. Due to a passenger with a fever boarding the plane, all 147 passengers (including 6 Koreans) on the Jeju Air flight arriving in Weihai on the morning of the 26th, following the 25th, were quarantined, and 107 passengers (including 24 Koreans) on the afternoon arrival flight were also quarantined.

On the 25th, 65 Korean passengers on an Asiana Airlines flight departing from Incheon and arriving in Nanjing were forcibly quarantined in a hotel, and a Chinese passenger with a fever tested positive for COVID-19, increasing the likelihood that the quarantine period for the Koreans on this flight will be extended.

These measures by China are interpreted as efforts to prevent further infections as the spread of COVID-19 within China stabilizes. On this day, the Chinese National Health Commission announced that 433 new confirmed cases and 29 deaths were added on the 26th. Excluding the concentrated outbreak area of Hubei Province, the number of new confirmed cases and deaths nationwide were only 24 and 3, respectively.

Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China, the country's top leadership, the day before, stating that China's COVID-19 prevention situation has improved and emphasizing the need to now focus on economic and social development. President Xi urged, "We must secure victory in the people's war, the total war, and the blocking war against the epidemic, and strive to realize a comprehensive Xiaokang (a moderately prosperous society where all people enjoy a comfortable and affluent life) society and the goal of poverty eradication."

Although China's entry control measures are tightening, the Chinese government continues to issue only diplomatic rhetoric.

During the phone call with Minister Kang, State Councilor Wang said, "China appreciates Korea's consistent strong support for China's COVID-19 prevention efforts," and "We will keep Korea's help in mind." Although Minister Kang expressed concerns about excessive controls, Wang appeared to emphasize that these were not controls imposed by the central government. Wang stressed, "China wants to provide the necessary assistance to Korea and support the Korean government and people's response to the epidemic," and "China wishes to communicate about the common goal of protecting the lives, safety, and health of the Korean people and China."

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