'Post-Corona' Korea-China Businessmen Entry 'Fast Track' to Start on Next Month 1st... First Case of Institutionalization

On the 17th, during the Korea-China Vice Foreign Ministers' video talks, agreement was reached to establish a 'Fast Track'... Agreement to be finalized in the 2nd video talks after working-level consultations
Priority application in 10 regions in China... Regular air route destinations include Shanghai, Liaoning Province, Shandong Province, and 5 others

The 2nd Video Conference on Korea-China COVID-19 Response and Quarantine Cooperation Dialogue

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] South Korea and China have agreed to establish a "Fast Track," a measure aimed at simplifying the entry procedures for businesspeople, to expand the essential economic activities between the two countries that had been extremely limited since the COVID-19 pandemic. The Chinese government plans to implement the Fast Track system starting from the 1st of next month in 10 regions within China, prioritizing areas with frequent exchanges between Korean and Chinese companies.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 29th, from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM, a one-hour second director-level video conference on "Korea-China COVID-19 Response and Quarantine Cooperation Dialogue" was held between the foreign ministries and quarantine authorities of both countries, where they agreed to establish the Fast Track system. This is the first institutionalized case of exception-based entry for businesspeople since the COVID-19 outbreak. Following the agreement to promote the establishment of the Fast Track during the Korea-China Vice Foreign Ministers' video consultation on the 17th, subsequent practical consultations between the two countries were conducted to prepare detailed measures, leading to this agreement.

When a Chinese company applies to the local Chinese government for a Fast Track invitation letter for Korean businesspeople and the Korean businesspeople receive a visa from the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in Korea, simplified entry procedures will apply upon entering China. The regions where the system will be initially applied from the 1st are Shanghai, Tianjin, Chongqing, Liaoning Province, Shandong Province, Jiangsu Province, Guangdong Province, Shaanxi Province, Sichuan Province, and Anhui Province, totaling 10 locations. However, only five regions are eligible for Fast Track application when using regular Korea-China flight routes.

Furthermore, considering the current fluctuating COVID-19 situations and flight routes between the two countries, Korea and China will hold regular consultations to review the operation of the Fast Track system and enhance its effectiveness by expanding its scope. For Chinese businesspeople, when visiting Korea for important business purposes, they can be exempted from quarantine by submitting a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours before departure from China and fulfilling special quarantine procedures. Upon entry into Korea, if the COVID-19 test is negative, they can engage in economic activities under active monitoring.

An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained, "Currently, not only Chinese companies located in the 10 regions where the Fast Track applies but also Korean companies established locally can apply for the Fast Track for businesspeople planning to visit those regions in China." As of early April, approximately 1,500 Korean businesspeople wish to enter China by May.

During the director-level video conference, the two countries evaluated and shared the current status of COVID-19 responses and discussed ways to support essential economic and human exchanges, as well as enhance cooperation in various fields such as quarantine, clinical matters, aviation, immigration, and international students. The meeting was led by Kang Sang-wook, Director of Northeast Asia at the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Wu Jianghao, Director of the Asian Affairs Department at the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Representatives from Korea’s Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Justice, and Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport attended, along with officials from China’s National Health Commission, Ministry of Commerce, General Administration of Customs, Immigration Bureau, and Civil Aviation Administration.

An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "We expect that the establishment of the 'Fast Track' will contribute to minimizing the economic and social impacts caused by COVID-19 in both countries. We will continue close discussions to monitor the operation of the Fast Track and enhance its effectiveness."

Additionally, both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation by sharing quarantine information between health and immigration authorities, explore ways to revitalize human exchanges such as increasing flights once the COVID-19 situation stabilizes, improve convenience for mutual international students, and maintain regular communication and consultations on issues such as guaranteeing visits for humanitarian reasons.

Moreover, based on the various cooperative achievements made while overcoming COVID-19, Korea and China will continue to discuss and promote scheduled high-level exchanges between the two countries this year.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs official added, "This quarantine cooperation dialogue, following the first dialogue, is evaluated as having achieved substantial results by enhancing mutual understanding of COVID-19 response policies and discussing various measures to promote cooperation under the COVID-19 situation. Going forward, we will continue to share information and exchange views on mutual interests, including COVID-19 responses, through various channels including this quarantine cooperation dialogue between the two countries."

On the 29th, overseas arrivals are receiving transportation-related information at the arrival hall of Terminal 1, Incheon International Airport. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

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