"To Welcome or To Block: The Global Dilemma Over China's Reopening"

Chinese Tourists Account for 20% of Global Travel Spending
Some Welcome It, Others Strengthen Quarantine Measures

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Kim Hyun-jung] The world is grappling with whether to strengthen quarantine measures for arrivals from China. While economic benefits are expected from the influx of group tourists, internal public opinion is worsening due to the possibility of the rapid emergence of new COVID-19 variants.

On the 30th, Hong Kong's South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that as China's reopening progresses rapidly, the world is showing mixed reactions and facing a dilemma.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

◆The economic impact from group tourism and other China-origin effects cannot be ignored= According to the World Tourism Organization, before the spread of COVID-19 in 2019, Chinese tourists' overseas spending amounted to $255 billion, accounting for about 20% of global related expenditures. Until the pandemic occurred, Chinese tourists were undeniably major spenders in the tourism market. However, in the following year, 2020, Chinese tourists' spending dropped sharply to $131 billion (approximately 165.453 trillion KRW), and last year it further declined to $106 billion.

This is why major countries' embassies and tourism offices have been promoting China as a welcome destination day after day. In China, the hashtag "Many countries posted welcoming messages for Chinese tourists online" gained popularity, and related posts on the local social networking service Weibo recorded over 2.3 million views. Recently, the French Embassy in China posted "Dear Chinese friends, France welcomes you with open arms," which received friendly comments such as "Dear French friends, please become our guests and travel to China."

Since the Chinese government announced on the 27th that it would abolish quarantine guidelines for arrivals from overseas, 12 countries including France, Thailand, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand have posted similar messages on social media over the following two days.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

◆Major countries raising barriers... "Concerns over variants"= On the other hand, some countries such as the United States, Japan, and Italy are strengthening quarantine standards for arrivals from China, raising protective barriers. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that from the 5th of next month, travelers arriving from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau must present a negative COVID-19 test certificate. The same standard applies to those arriving via third countries or transiting through the U.S.

Japan, after China announced on the 27th that it would lift quarantine for overseas arrivals, was the first to implement COVID-19 testing for arrivals from China. It also decided to reduce increased flights between China and Japan, and to impose a 7-day facility quarantine for confirmed cases detected during testing. Italy also decided to mandate COVID-19 testing for travelers from China.

China is protesting these responses. The Chinese state-run media Global Times (GT) pointed out, "While most countries worldwide welcome China's reopening moves, a few countries and regions are imposing 'discriminatory' travel restrictions contrary to the trend," adding, "The real intention is to disrupt the COVID-19 control efforts of the past three years and attack China's system."

GT explained that regarding countries deciding to strengthen quarantine out of concern for 'variant viruses,' "China has never stopped monitoring variants and will not hide new variants," and "Although the number of confirmed cases in China has recently surged, it is still low compared to global totals."

The media also cited an expert who requested anonymity, saying, "All hospitals in China collect samples from COVID-19 confirmed and severe patients and send them to the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Thousands of samples have been monitored in recent weeks, but no viruses like the variant or Delta variant, as claimed by some countries, have been detected."

The European Union (EU) also sided with China. The EU Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) criticized the mandatory COVID-19 testing for travelers from China as 'unjustified' and said it is not necessary for the entire EU. The ECDC explained, "Europe has higher immunity, and the surge in confirmed cases in China is not expected to affect the EU." It also stated that potential infection issues from arrivals from China "are currently manageable by the healthcare system" and that "discussions among member states will continue."

Meanwhile, Liang Wannian, head of the COVID-19 response expert team at China's National Health Commission and a professor at Tsinghua University, said at a press briefing the day before that the Chinese government and expert team are paying close attention to mortality rates but that it is difficult to ascertain exact figures. Professor Liang explained, "At this stage, the focus should be on lowering the fatality rate and preventing severe illness."

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