China Retaliates with Quarantine Measures... Halts 'Visa-Free Transit via China' for South Korean and Japanese Nationals (Update)

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Kim Hyunjung] Following the suspension of short-term visa issuance for South Korea and Japan, China has also halted visa exemptions for South Korean and Japanese nationals transiting through China.

The China Immigration Administration announced on the 11th, "This measure was introduced in response to discriminatory entry restrictions imposed by a few countries against Chinese nationals." The measure takes effect immediately upon announcement.

China exempts transit visa issuance for international flights, ships, and trains passing through China en route to a third country. If the short-term stay within China does not exceed 24 hours and the traveler does not leave the airport, or if the stay is within a specific area approved by the State Council and does not exceed the prescribed time, travelers are allowed to stay without a visa. However, such benefits will no longer be granted to nationals of South Korea and Japan.

Additionally, the Immigration Administration announced the suspension of 'visa on arrival' issuance for South Korean and Japanese nationals. Until now, China allowed foreigners entering urgently for humanitarian reasons, urgent business or paid construction work upon invitation, or other urgent reasons to apply for a visa upon arrival at airports where visa on arrival issuance was possible.

Accordingly, the Chinese government has taken another retaliatory quarantine measure against South Korea and Japan just one day after suspending short-term visas. The Chinese government announced the suspension of short-term visa issuance for South Korean nationals and 'general visa' issuance for Japanese nationals in response to South Korea and Japan's strengthened quarantine measures for arrivals from China. This is a reciprocal measure following South Korea's enforcement of mandatory COVID-19 testing for travelers from China and other quarantine enhancements. However, similar measures have not yet been taken against countries like the United States and the European Union (EU), which have also strengthened quarantine measures. Currently, countries including the United States, Italy, Spain, France, Germany, and Sweden mandate COVID-19 testing for arrivals from China.

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