China’s embassies in Tokyo and Seoul announced the suspension of visa issuance in brief online notices.
Image Credit source: AP/PTI
Chinese Embassies has South Korea And Japan On Tuesday, the issuance of new visas to the citizens of their country was suspended. China has taken this step by retaliating to these nations making the COVID-19 test necessary for its citizens. China’s embassies in Tokyo and Seoul announced the suspension of visa issuance in brief online notices.
The Chinese embassy in Seoul said in a brief notice posted on its account on the social media platform WeChat that the ban would remain in force until South Korea retracts its discriminatory measures on the entry of Chinese people into the country. Tourist, business and other types of visas will come under this announcement. China’s foreign ministry last week threatened to retaliate against countries that have made COVID-19 tests mandatory for Chinese citizens.
New travel rules for Chinese travelers
Some countries in Europe, North America and Asia had recently made Covid testing mandatory for people coming from China. Officials expressed concern over the lack of information about the fast-spreading virus in China. However, it is not clear why only South Korea and Japan have been targeted and whether visas will also be barred for citizens of those countries that have made coronavirus tests mandatory for Chinese citizens. The Chinese Embassy in Tokyo has only said that the issuance of visas has been suspended.
It appears that the announcement will only apply to new applicants, as it does not say anything about those who currently hold visas. South Korea’s foreign ministry said in a statement, “Our government’s move to strengthen anti-virus measures on travelers arriving from China is based on scientific and objective evidence.” It said, we have provided information to the international community in a transparent manner and we have already communicated with the Chinese side.
A Japanese Foreign Ministry official, who requested anonymity, had earlier said that it would be regrettable if sanctions were imposed. Regrettably, a handful of countries have targeted China and insisted on discriminatory entry restriction measures, disregarding science and facts and domestic reality, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said on Tuesday. He said that China firmly rejected it and took reciprocal measures.
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