China Issues Mandatory COVID Tests for Travelers of South Korea

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Passengers from China wait before proceeding to a COVID-19 testing center upon their arrival at the Incheon International Airport in Incheon, South Korea, on January 14, 2023. Photo: VCG

China now requires a PCR test on arrival from all incoming visitors on direct flights from South Korea, the Chinese embassy in Seoul said Tuesday.

Source: Korean Consulate in Shenyang
A notice was sent to airlines operating between the two countries on Tuesday, Seoul-based Yonhap reported: “Chinese aviation authorities said all passengers on board direct flights from South Korea to China will receive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests on arrival.” “Those who test positive are required to be quarantined or hospitalized,” it added.

All inbound travelers from South Korea to China must undergo COVID-19 testing upon arrival, and those testing positive will have to quarantine at home, according to Chinese airlines, as China further escalates its countermeasures against South Korea's discriminatory travel curbs.

"We are ready to work with countries to do as much as possible to facilitate normal cross-border travel. However, following the discriminatory measures adopted by certain countries that target Chinese citizens, we are compelled to respond accordingly in line with the principle of reciprocity," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a routine press briefing on Wednesday.

"From February 1, all those entering on direct flights from South Korea to China must undergo testing. Those who test positive should be quarantined at home or in their residence, or seek medical treatment," said a notice by China Eastern Airlines on Tuesday.Both South Korean nationals and Chinese nationals will undergo the mandatory testing, according to the airline.

The move comes in response after Korea halted short-term visas for Chinese visitors until at least Feb. 28 and requires both negative PCR tests and another test on arrival from long-term visa holders arriving from China amid a surge of COVID infections there.

According to a Chinese passenger who arrived in China from South Korea on February 1: "All passengers from South Korea are required to take the test, regardless of their nationality, except for Chinese passengers."

Previously, China required passengers from South Korea to undergo nucleic acid tests within 48 hours before boarding planes. Random testing will be given during customs checks after landing.

Facing South Korea's discriminatory and unnecessary travel restrictions against travelers from China, citing COVID-19 concerns, China has suspended issuing short-term visas for South Korean nationals to travel to China for visits, business, tourism, medical treatment, transit or other personal affairs.

The decision will be reassessed as soon as South Korea removes its discriminatory travel restrictions targeting travelers from China, according to the Chinese Embassy in South Korea.

But South Korea has not yet scrapped its discriminatory travel curbs; it even extended the restrictions till February 28. South Korea requires passengers from China to present a PCR test within 48 hours or a negative antigen test within 24 hours before boarding a flight to South Korea. They also have to take a PCR test on the first day of arrival in South Korea at their own expense.

China hopes that South Korea will lift its unreasonable restriction as soon as possible, Mao said previously, noting that China is ready to take corresponding measures to facilitate personnel exchanges between the two countries on this basis.

Foreign Ministry Q&A

Yonhap News Agency

Starting from today, the Chinese government will conduct nucleic acid tests on all travelers to China from the ROK. As we have learned, the requirement only applies to foreign nationals, including those from South Korea. Can you share more details?

Mao Ning

"We are ready to work with countries to do as much as possible to facilitate normal cross-border travel.

However, following the discriminatory measures adopted by certain countries that target Chinese citizens, we are compelled to respond accordingly in line with the principle of reciprocity," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a routine press briefing on Wednesday.

Source: Global Times; https://enapp.globaltimes.cn/article/1284661;  Chinese Embassy & Foreign Ministry

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