Chinese Foreign Ministry: "40% of Overseas Imported Cases Are International Students"

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Park Sun-mi] As China is making every effort to block overseas reverse transmission of COVID-19, it has been revealed that 40% of the overseas reverse transmission patients are international students.

On the 26th, Luo Zhaohui, Vice Foreign Minister of China, stated at a press conference in Beijing, "Among the confirmed COVID-19 cases imported from overseas, 90% hold Chinese passports, and 40% are Chinese international students studying abroad."

He said, "It is understandable that some international students are rushing to return home. Some Chinese people are entering China knowing they are infected with COVID-19, which shows their trust in their homeland. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to provide assistance to international students in difficulty," but also advised that refraining from returning home unless it is an urgent situation could be a good choice.

Vice Minister Luo explained, "It would be good to carefully discuss with family what is the best course of action and make the right decision. Under the current circumstances, staying in the local area can avoid infection during the return process or difficulties caused by strengthened quarantine measures in transit countries," and added, "Suppressing the increasing overseas importation of COVID-19 has become a priority in China's epidemic prevention and control. Chinese international students abroad should avoid traveling to high-risk infection areas or making unnecessary trips."

As the global spread of COVID-19 accelerates, many Chinese living overseas are returning to or hoping to return to China. However, according to the flight data provider VariFlight, as of the 24th, all 3,102 flights on routes to and from China have been canceled, effectively closing the air routes.

Given this situation, some wealthy Chinese are even using charter flight services to bring their children studying abroad back to China after the suspension of flights to China. The private charter company ‘PrivateFly’ charges $23,000 per person for a 14-seat Bombardier flight from Los Angeles to Shanghai.

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