China Aims to Become the 'Largest Island Nation'... Global Countries Build a Great Wall of Quarantine Measures

China Eases 'Zero COVID' After Over 2 Years
World Strengthens Entry Restrictions on Chinese Tourists
"Half of Chinese Passengers Arriving in Milano Infected"

As the Chinese government gradually eases its strict 'Zero COVID' policy, there are signs of explosive demand for overseas travel among Chinese citizens. However, countries such as the United States, Japan, and Europe plan to tighten entry restrictions due to concerns that Chinese tourists might spread new viruses. This marks a reversal in the stance toward Chinese travelers about two years after the onset of COVID-19.

'Zero COVID' Eased in China

On the 26th (local time), the National Health Commission of China downgraded COVID-19 control measures to 'Category B.' Specifically, quarantine policies for overseas arrivals are set to be abolished starting January 8 next year. This has raised expectations within China that overseas travel will become more accessible.

According to data from the Chinese online travel company Ctrip, searches for overseas travel packages during next year’s Spring Festival (January 22, Chinese Lunar New Year holiday) surged among Chinese netizens. Macau and Hong Kong ranked first and second, followed by Japan, Thailand, Korea, the United States, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

On the morning of the 29th, a passenger is coming out to the arrival hall at Terminal 1 of Incheon International Airport. / Photo by Yonhap News

US, Japan, and Others Tighten Entry Restrictions on Chinese Tourists

However, governments in countries such as the United States and Japan, anticipating a wave of 'revenge travel' by Chinese tourists, plan to strengthen regulations on arrivals from China. Japan will require all Chinese entrants to undergo COVID-19 testing starting from the 30th. The US government also announced that from January 5 next year, all Chinese travelers must submit a negative COVID-19 test result obtained within 48 hours before departure.

On the morning of the 29th, information about flights from China is displayed on the arrival information board at Terminal 1 of Incheon International Airport. / Photo by Yonhap News

The reason other countries are tightening entry restrictions on Chinese travelers is due to infection concerns. COVID-19 is spreading rapidly in China, and on top of that, a new BF.7 variant, which may have stronger transmissibility than previous variants, has been detected.

On the 28th, the US financial media Bloomberg reported that half of the passengers on two flights departing from China and arriving in Milan, Italy, tested positive for COVID-19. The outlet stated, "There is much uncertainty about the scale of the outbreak," and added, "Several countries are considering imposing restrictions on travelers from China."

China Eases, the World Tightens... Reversed Positions

This situation places China in a completely reversed position compared to two years ago when COVID-19 began to spread widely. In March 2020, Chinese authorities implemented strict quarantine policies for overseas arrivals aiming for 'zero confirmed cases.' All entrants to China had to quarantine for up to three weeks in government-designated facilities. This caused significant inconvenience for tourists and business visitors traveling to China. The quarantine policy for overseas arrivals is scheduled to be abolished on January 8 next year.

On the other hand, Chinese tourists now face stringent screening in other countries. Especially overseas, there is skepticism about the effectiveness of Chinese-made COVID-19 vaccines such as Sinovac and Sinopharm, which most Chinese have received. Michael Ryan, head of the World Health Organization (WHO) Emergency Response Team, pointed out, "China has a lower vaccination rate among people aged 60 and over compared to other countries, and the infection prevention rate of Chinese vaccines is about 50%. This is one of the factors contributing to the spread of COVID-19 within China."

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