Two Samsung Electronics charter flights to China canceled, Foreign Ministry "Verifying facts... Not a suspension of the fast-track system"

China Strengthens Quarantine for All Arrivals from the 11th Amid Renewed COVID-19 Pandemic Spread
Ministry of Foreign Affairs: "Quarantine Measures May Tighten Some Procedures"... Actively Promoting Communication to Minimize Inconvenience

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] As the Chinese government is reported to have unilaterally canceled two charter flights of Samsung Electronics bound for China, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it is verifying specific facts regarding the possibility that some charter flight approval procedures have been strengthened.

Since the 11th, China has been strengthening quarantine measures for all entrants to China, including its own citizens, due to the global resurgence of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

On the 12th, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs official explained, "Due to the Chinese government's strengthened quarantine measures, some procedures for entering China, such as charter flight approvals, are expected to be reinforced," adding, "We are confirming specific facts with the Chinese side." Samsung Electronics had planned to dispatch personnel to Xi'an using a Korean Air charter flight and to Tianjin using an Asiana charter flight on the 13th.

However, the Korea-China Fast Track system, which has been in effect since May, is reportedly still being implemented. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs official said, "Since May 1st, the Korea-China Fast Track for businesspeople has been in operation, and it is understood that about 10,000 of our businesspeople have entered China through this system so far," adding, "The operation of the Korea-China Fast Track system has not been suspended."

Furthermore, the official stated that continuous communication will be maintained to minimize inconveniences for essential personnel such as businesspeople entering the country. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs official responded, "The government is actively communicating with the Chinese side to ensure that inconveniences to our businesspeople caused by China's strengthened entry quarantine procedures are minimized."

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