China warns Taiwan of entry refusal if "Wuhan Coronavirus" is used instead of "COVID-19"

Citizens maintaining their daily lives in Taiwan, a model country for COVID-19 quarantine [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Eun-young] China has warned that travelers may be denied entry if they use the term "Wuhan coronavirus" instead of "COVID-19" or "novel coronavirus" when referring to Taiwan.

According to foreign media including Hong Kong's Apple Daily on the 19th, three airlines?China Southern Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, and Air China (China International Airlines)?have each informed on their Taiwan websites that Taiwanese travelers visiting China must use the official terms "COVID-19" or "novel coronavirus," as adopted by the World Health Organization (WHO), on their negative COVID-19 test certificates.

They also warned that if travelers violate this and use the term "Wuhan coronavirus," their entry may be refused.

Taiwanese travelers are required to submit a negative COVID-19 test certificate obtained within 72 hours before entering China.

China has opposed the use of the name "Wuhan virus" for COVID-19, which was first identified in Wuhan, calling it stigmatizing.

Foreign media reported, "Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam (林鄭月娥) banned reporters from using the term 'Wuhan virus' during a press conference," and added, "(However) in Taiwan, the term 'Wuhan coronavirus' is commonly used, and even the Minister of Health said, 'Since Wuhan is where the virus originated, calling it that makes it easier to remember,'" speculating on the reasons behind the Chinese airlines' decision.

However, a Taiwanese businessman told foreign media, "Almost all hospitals in Taiwan conducting COVID-19 tests label the certificates with '2019 coronavirus' or 'COVID-19' instead of 'Wuhan pneumonia,'" pointing out that "China's action is more of a political gesture."

Recognized as a "model country for COVID-19 prevention," Taiwan has had only 759 cumulative COVID-19 cases among its 24 million population. Since April, no local infections have been reported. Based on this, Taiwan has expressed its desire to participate in WHO's COVID-19 response discussions but has been blocked by China's opposition.

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