US Lowers China Travel Alert by One Level to 'Reconsider'... China Calls It "Safest Country"

US State Department "China resumes routine operations... also reports local progress"

At the beginning of this month, students attending a class in an elementary school classroom in Wuhan, China (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] On the 14th (local time), the United States downgraded its travel advisory for China from the highest level of 'Do Not Travel' to 'Reconsider Travel.' The reason cited was that China has resumed normal operations.

In a press release on the same day, the U.S. Department of State announced that it would adjust the travel advisory for China, including Hong Kong, to Level 3, 'Reconsider Travel.' The Department of State's travel advisories for U.S. citizens are divided into four levels: Exercise Normal Precautions, Exercise Increased Caution, Reconsider Travel, and Do Not Travel.

The Department of State explained that China has resumed daily operations including schools, and other local progress has been reported.

Regarding this measure, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that China is the safest country in the world and urged the lowering of the travel advisory. Wang Wenbin, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated at a briefing on the 15th (local time), "Since the outbreak of COVID-19, China has implemented the most comprehensive, strict, and thorough epidemic prevention measures," adding, "Through this, we have achieved strategic success in the war against COVID-19." He also emphasized that China has been free of new confirmed cases in the region for 30 consecutive days, making it "the safest country in the world."

He continued, "When the United States issues travel advisories, it must fully respect the facts," and added, "It should not engage in baseless political manipulation."

Earlier, the U.S. Department of State announced in early last month that it would lift the travel ban recommendation for U.S. citizens worldwide and evaluate countries individually. At that time, the travel ban for China remained in place.

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