Chinese Government Urges Urgent Improvement of Discriminatory Restrictions Against Chinese Nationals

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Seoyul] China has urged improvements to discriminatory measures following South Korea and Japan's strengthened quarantine measures for arrivals from China. China is currently imposing retaliatory entry restrictions on South Korea and Japan.

Wang Wenbin, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated at a regular briefing on the 12th, "We hope that discriminatory restrictions against Chinese nationals will be improved as soon as possible."

On the same day, Wang added regarding Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's remarks, "We hope the relevant countries will adopt a scientific attitude based on mutual respect" and "make efforts to restore normal exchanges and cooperation with China." Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expressed "deep regret" over China's suspension of visa issuance to Japanese citizens and requested its withdrawal.

Wang's comments came in response to Prime Minister Kishida's expression of regret but did not specify any particular country, which is interpreted as targeting both South Korea and Japan simultaneously.

Meanwhile, on the 10th, China suspended the issuance of short-term visas to South Korean and Japanese nationals. The previous day, China also announced that the visa-free transit program allowing foreigners passing through China en route to third countries to stay in transit cities for 3 to 6 days would not apply to South Korea and Japan.

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