Only 10% Blocked? ... China to Ban Foreign Entry from the 28th (Comprehensive)

90% of Overseas COVID-19 Cases Are Chinese Nationals, 40% Are International Students

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Sunmi Park] China will ban the entry of foreigners starting from the 28th to block the inflow of COVID-19. This sudden announcement of the foreigner entry ban comes amid a situation where most of the overseas imported COVID-19 confirmed cases are Chinese nationals.

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Immigration Administration issued a notice late on the night of the 26th, announcing that foreigners will be banned from entering China starting at 0:00 on the 28th. Considering the rapid global spread of COVID-19, China stated that from 0:00 on the 28th, foreigners holding valid visas and residence permits will be prohibited from entering the country.

Entry of foreigners holding APEC Business Travel Cards (business visas to expand economic exchanges among APEC member countries) will also be banned, and 24-, 72-, and 144-hour visa-free transit, visa-free entry to Hainan Island, and visa-free entry via Shanghai cruise ships will all be suspended. However, foreigners holding diplomatic, official, courtesy, or crew member visas are exempt from this measure. Those who need to visit China for economic and trade, scientific and technological activities, or other humanitarian reasons must separately apply for a visa at Chinese embassies or consulates in their respective countries. Entry is allowed with visas issued after the announcement.

Although some exceptions exist, such as for holders of diplomatic and official visas, this is effectively a foreigner entry ban as even foreigners who have already obtained visas or residence permits are blocked from entering. Due to the sudden announcement just one day before enforcement, Korean residents who temporarily returned to Korea to avoid COVID-19 while living in China will find it difficult to re-enter China for the time being.

It is unknown how long this measure will last. The Chinese government has only stated that this is a temporary measure and has not disclosed when the entry ban will be lifted. They only mentioned that "the measures will be adjusted through separate announcements depending on the COVID-19 situation."

China’s foreigner entry ban coincides with restrictions on airlines operating routes to China. China has limited all foreign airlines to operate only one route per week to China. Chinese airlines are also allowed to operate only one route per country, with no more than one flight per week. The Chinese aviation authorities explained that, following the State Council’s work guidelines, the number of international flights has been reduced to firmly suppress the risk of COVID-19 inflow from abroad. This will be applied starting from the 29th.

Although this measure was implemented to drastically reduce the number of people entering China from countries with severe COVID-19 outbreaks, it remains uncertain how effective it will be given that 90% of overseas imported COVID-19 cases are Chinese nationals.

At a press conference in Beijing the previous day, Luo Zhaohui, Vice Minister of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated, "Among the COVID-19 confirmed cases imported from overseas, 90% hold Chinese passports, and 40% are Chinese students studying abroad." Luo expressed understanding of some students rushing to return home but advised that staying abroad could avoid infection during the return process or difficulties caused by strengthened quarantine measures in transit countries, urging careful decision-making.

Meanwhile, as of the 25th, China reported 67 new confirmed COVID-19 cases and 6 additional deaths in one day. All 67 new confirmed cases were imported from outside China. The cumulative number of overseas imported COVID-19 cases to date is 541.

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