COVID: China International Health Certificate Launches
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• State Councilor Wang Yi announced the launch of the Chinese version of the "International Travel Health Certificate" at the press conference of the Foreign Ministers, proposing a practical "Chinese solution" to promote the world economic recovery and "facilitate the movement of people across borders".
• Unfortunately, it currently it is only available to mainland Chinese citizens, and we're not able to say if, and when this will become availble to international residents of China.
• China earlier said that it plans roll out the health certificate, which while protecting personal privacy, will realize mutual recognition of information on COVID-19 nucleic acid tests and vaccine inoculations.
On March 8th, the Chinese version of the "International Travel Health Certificate" WeChat app was officially launched on the WeChat mini program.
What is the Chinese version of the
"International Travel Health Certificate"?
The certificate includes nucleic acid test and serum antibody results, vaccine inoculation, and other information. It has an encrypted code to allow authorities to verify the holder’s personal information, according to China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The health certificate contains an encrypted QR code for the relevant departments of various countries to verify its authenticity and read personal information. In addition to the electronic display, it can also be printed to generate a paper version.
Representional image of the paper Travel Health Certificate
Only for mainland Chinese citizens
Currently it is only available to mainland Chinese citizens, and yesterday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian answered whether it is available to foreigners in China.
AFP: Are there plans to make these travel certificates available to foreigners in China in addition to just Chinese citizens?
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian: "The pandemic is still with us, but the world economy needs to be restarted and people-to-people exchanges resumed with no more delays. As countries are stepping up vaccination efforts, mutual recognition of vaccination has become part and parcel to mutual recognition of health codes among countries. To help promote world economic recovery and facilitate cross-border travel, the Chinese side has decided to roll out the Chinese version of health certificate for outbound Chinese travelers. The certificate will be available in two formats, digital and in paper, with the certificate-holder's NAT and IgG anti-body test results and vaccination status on record.
China stands ready to discuss with other countries on establishing mutual recognition mechanisms for health codes information. This will facilitate the issuance of visas, thus making cross-border travel much easier and contributing to the healthy, safe and orderly people-to-people exchanges"
Representional image of the digital Travel Health Certificate
How can Chinese get the Certificate?
(1) Open WeChat, enter the app by scanning the QR code launched by the official channel and select "View and Present International Travel Health Certificate (查看及出示国际旅行健康证明)" to proceed.
(2) OR Search for "Epidemic Prevention Health Code International (防疫健康码国际版)" in the WeChat app and select "View and show international travel health certificate (查看及出示国际旅行健康证明)" to operate. Before logging in for the first time, you need to follow the instructions of the program to authenticate your personal identity and travel documents such as a passport.
China is willing to address concerns raised by outside parties, coordinate with each country's health code information mutual recognition mechanism, provide one another with visas and other cross-border travel conveniences, and actively promote the establishment of healthy, safe and orderly personnel movements, according to Zhao Lijian, foreign ministry spokesperson.
Sources: Global Times, 英伦圈.
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