China Suspends Short-term Visas For S Koreans Over Covid Travel Curbs
Umer Jamshaid Published January 10, 2023 | 11:40 AM
Seoul, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Jan, 2023 ) :China has suspended the issuing of short-term visas to South Koreans in response to Seoul's imposition of travel restrictions on Chinese travellers over Covid concerns, Beijing's embassy said on Tuesday.
"Chinese embassies and consulates in Korea will suspend the issuance of short-term visas for Korean citizens," the embassy in Seoul said, adding the measures would be "adjusted again in line with South Korea's removal of the discriminatory entry restrictions on China." Last month, Seoul imposed a wave of restrictions on travellers from China, including visa restrictions, testing requirements and some flight limits, citing a surge in Covid-19 infections.
Seoul has also capped flights from China, and travellers from the mainland, Hong Kong and Macau have to test negative before travelling and are tested again on arrival.
Those testing positive are required to quarantine for a week, authorities have said.
China currently issues no tourist visas and requires negative Covid test for all arrivals.
One Chinese national who tested positive on arriving in Seoul refused to quarantine and fled, sparking a two-day manhunt that dominated South Korean headlines.
Police eventually found the Chinese national -- who was not identified, but described as a medical tourist -- who will be questioned this week over the infraction, local media reported.
According to official figures, 2,224 Chinese nationals on short-term visas have landed in South Korea since January 2, with 17.
5 percent testing positive on arrival.
South Korea has also restricted the issuing of short-term visas to Chinese nationals, excluding public officials, diplomats and those with crucial humanitarian and business purposes, until the end of January.
Other restrictions include scaling back the number of flights from China and requiring all flights from the country to land at South Korea's main Incheon International Airport.
South Korea's southernmost Jeju Island, which has its own international airport and separate visa entry regime, was a popular tourist destination for Chinese arrivals before the pandemic.
Seoul is "inevitably strengthening some anti-epidemic measures to prevent the spread of the virus in our country due to the worsening Covid-19 situation in China," Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said last month in announcing the measures.
China's hospitals have been overwhelmed by an explosion in cases after Beijing began unwinding hardline controls that had torpedoed the economy and sparked nationwide protests.
For both 2019 and 2020, tourists from China accounted for the largest proportion of all foreign tourists visiting South Korea, making up 34.4 percent and 27.2 percent, respectively, according to Seoul's official data.
But the number of Chinese tourists dropped significantly last year -- from 6.02 million in 2019 to 200,000 for January to November 2022 -- making up only 7.5 percent of all tourists from overseas, South Korea's culture ministry told AFP.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Dubai Mum Becomes the First Ever Pakistani Woman to Climb 11 of the 14 Highest M ..
Over 37% Tobacco tax increase suggested to save lives, boost revenue
Mohsin Naqvi has offered a substantial incentive, pledging $100,000 to every pla ..
Citizens join Al Barsha Police in “An Hour for Dubai” Initiative
Art can be a powerful tool to relieve stress, Experts say at Sharjah Children’ ..
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 5 May 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 05 May 2024
Bugti assures transporters for addressing their problems
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mohammad Ishaq Dar meets foreign min ..
3 drug peddlers arrested, hashish recovered
1496,990 children given polio drops in five days: DC
Six terrorists killed, hideout busted in N Waziristan IBO: ISPR
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
Concerted efforts urged to ease traffic flow on city roads
19 hours ago -
Land degradation: A threat to food security
19 hours ago -
Revamping health sector, a gigantic task ahead
19 hours ago -
American band promotes intercultural harmony thru music fusions
2 days ago -
Waste Management – A persistent challenge for MWMC
3 days ago -
Experts for ending child labour
5 days ago
-
Labour Day - A reminder for better facilities to workers
5 days ago -
Stage Drama Mohabati Manhoon presents in Arts council Larkana
7 days ago -
Wheat farmers in a fix on price, procurement mechanism
8 days ago -
Modern tools to help transform crime investigation procedures
8 days ago -
Sanam Marvi captivates audience with mesmerizing performance
8 days ago -
Modern Education Techniques: A pathway to achieve economic development
10 days ago