China Remains Silent as Japan Tightens Entry Restrictions on Korea and China

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Park Sun-mi] The Chinese government and media are showing a restrained and accepting attitude toward Japan's tightening of entry regulations.

Zhao Lijian, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a regular briefing on the 5th (local time) when asked about China's position on Japan's decision to strengthen entry restrictions and quarantine for Chinese nationals, "I have not yet seen related articles," but added, "Whether China or Japan, if it is a series of scientific, professional, and appropriate measures to protect the health and life safety of their own citizens and to safeguard regional and global public health security, everyone can understand it."

He also added, "China and Japan maintain close communication through diplomatic channels." While conveying information related to the postponement of Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to Japan, Zhao said, "Currently, both China and Japan are making all-out efforts to prevent COVID-19."

Chinese state media are focusing their reports on the postponement of President Xi's April visit to Japan, rather than highlighting the news about Japan's decision to strengthen entry restrictions and quarantine for Chinese nationals. They simply relay the contents of the Japanese government's decision by citing Japanese media reports, refraining from making separate evaluations.

This contrasts with the period when COVID-19 was spreading severely in China, during which the Chinese government reacted extremely sensitively to other countries' 'bans on Chinese nationals' entry' measures.

The strongly nationalist Chinese Global Times harshly criticized the U.S. for its restrictions on Chinese nationals' entry in an editorial on the 3rd of last month, stating, "The United States is the first country to set a bad example worldwide by taking extreme measures." In another editorial at the end of last month, while explaining that China's strengthened quarantine measures for arrivals from South Korea were not harsh, it pointed out, "South Korea has completely banned entry from Hubei."

Newly appointed Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Xing Haiming also criticized the 'bans on Chinese nationals' entry' measures by the U.S. and others as "excessive actions" in early last month, and put pressure on the South Korean government by expressing expectations that it would make decisions in line with World Health Organization (WHO) regulations opposing travel and trade restrictions with China.

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