China bars foreigners due to surging imported infections
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Foreign nationals are temporarily forbidden from entering China even with valid visas, Chinese authorities announced on Thursday, in a move called by some experts as "semi sealing off of the border" that signals the country's determination to fight the pandemic battle.
The notice was jointly issued Thursday night by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and National Immigration Administration and will take effect on Saturday.
The suspension is a temporary measure that China is compelled to take in light of the outbreak situation and the practices of other countries. China will stay in close touch with all sides and properly handle personnel exchanges with the rest of the world under special circumstances. The above-mentioned measures will be calibrated in light of the evolving situation and announced accordingly, the notice said.
This is the strictest measure taken toward foreigners since China's opening-up and reform, which is also an unprecedented step, reflecting the country's decisive and aggressive COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control work in fighting the pandemic battle, said Li Haidong, a professor at the Institute of International Relations of China Foreign Affairs University.
Due to mounting pressure of imported COVID-19 infection cases, China has to take this measure, which is temporary but necessary, otherwise, the result of containment would be threatened, Cai Jiangnan, the director of the Center for Healthcare Management at the China Europe International Business School, said on Thursday.
Peking University Professor Zhang Yiwu said this move signals China will partly seal off its border in response to rising numbers of imported infections. "We cannot keep our own nationals outside, so we have to stop foreign nationals from coming in and adding pressure to our virus prevention work," said Zhang.
He noted this measure also suits with other countries to prevent imported infections.
The notice says foreign nationals coming to China for necessary economic, trade, scientific or technological activities or out of emergency humanitarian needs may apply for visas at Chinese embassies or consulates. Entry by foreign nationals with visas issued after this announcement will not be affected.
It's necessary to keep a channel open for foreigners who work in the trade and technology sectors, as the country, which is also the world's factory and largest manufacturer, is resuming work amid the outbreak, said Mei Xinyu, a research fellow with the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation under the Ministry of Commerce, noting that it will play a decisive role in stabilizing the global economy.
As of Tuesday, China has reported 474 imported cases from 34 countries, with the capital Beijing shouldering the heaviest burden of receiving those patients. The UK is the biggest source of imported cases, according to statistics.
"We can't afford to see cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou become a second Wuhan, given the pandemic has been worsening overseas," said Yang Zhanqiu, a virologist at Wuhan University. The policy is necessary as an outbreak rebound would seriously affect Chinese social and economic development, he said.
The pandemic has caused so far more than 500,000 cases worldwide, affecting more than 170 countries and regions and causing 22,184 deaths, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University and Medicine.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China National Immigration Administration Announcement on the Temporary Suspension of Entry by Foreign Nationals Holding Valid Chinese Visas or Residence Permits
March 26, 2020
In view of the rapid spread of COVID-19 across the world, China has decided to temporarily suspend the entry into China by foreign nationals holding visas or residence permits still valid to the time of this announcement, effective from 0 a.m., 28 march 2020. Entry by foreign nationals with APEC Business Travel Cards will be suspended as well. Policies including port visas, 24/72/144-hour visa-free transit policy, Hainan 30-day visa-free policy, 15-day visa-free policy specified for foreign cruise-group-tour through Shanghai Port, Guangdong 144-hour visa-free policy specified for foreign tour groups from Hong Kong or Macao SAR, and Guangxi 15-day visa-free policy specified for foreign tour groups of ASEAN countries will also be temporarily suspended. Entry with diplomatic, service, courtesy or C visas will not be affected. Foreign nationals coming to China for necessary economic, trade, scientific or technological activities or out of emergency humanitarian needs may apply for visas at Chinese embassies or consulates. Entry by foreign nationals with visas issued after this announcement will not be affected.
The suspension is a temporary measure that China is compelled to take in light of the outbreak situation and the practices of other countries. China will stay in close touch with all sides and properly handle personnel exchanges with the rest of the world under the special circumstances. The above-mentioned measures will be calibrated in light of the evolving situation and announced accordingly.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China
National Immigration Administration
中华人民共和国外交部、国家移民管理局
关于暂时停止持有效中国签证、居留许可的外国人入境的公告
鉴于新冠肺炎疫情在全球范围快速蔓延，中方决定自2020年3月28日0时起，暂时停止外国人持目前有效来华签证和居留许可入境。暂停外国人持APEC商务旅行卡入境。暂停口岸签证、24/72/144小时过境免签、海南入境免签、上海邮轮免签、港澳地区外国人组团入境广东144小时免签、东盟旅游团入境广西免签等政策。持外交、公务、礼遇、C字签证入境不受影响。外国人如来华从事必要的经贸、科技等活动，以及出于紧急人道主义需要，可向中国驻外使领馆申办签证。外国人持公告后签发的签证入境不受影响。
这是中方为应对当前疫情，参考多国做法，不得已采取的临时性措施。中方愿与各方保持密切沟通，做好当前形势下中外人员往来工作。中方将根据疫情形势调整上述措施并另行公告。
特此公告。
中华人民共和国外交部
国家移民管理局
Source: https://www.globaltimes.cn
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