Oluwanifemi Ojo
China has lifted its ban on foreigners following the ease of the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns.
Agence France-Presse reported that the country’s foreign ministry said, “China will once again start issuing a range of visas to foreigners as of Wednesday.”
The ease of travel restrictions could be seen as the country’s major move to reopening China to the outside world.
According to a notice posted Tuesday on a social media account affiliated with the foreign ministry’s consular affairs bureau, “In addition to new visas being reviewed and approved, those issued before March 28, 2020 that remain valid will once again allow entry to China.”
According to report, notice similar to this was also found on the websites of several Chinese missions including the United States and France.
The notice further stated that “The updated policy will also allow for the resumption of visa-free travel for those arriving on cruise ships to Shanghai as well as for certain tourist groups from Hong Kong, Macau and countries within the ASEAN regional grouping.”
It added that the move would “further facilitate the exchange of Chinese and foreign personnel”, it added.
Early in December, Chinese authorities effectively put a halt to the practice of widespread testing, lockdowns, and protracted quarantines; yet, the rapid change in policy resulted in an increase in Covid cases.
Beijing announced in late December that foreign visitors would still be subject to visa requirements after January 8 but would no longer be required to undergo quarantine.
Meanwhile, Beijing said it would “continue to adjust its visa policy for foreigners visiting China in a scientific and dynamic manner in accordance with… the epidemic situation”.
Li on Monday admitted that to achieve the country’s economic growth goal of “around five percent” would be “no easy task”.
China achieved just three percent growth last year, less than its goal of around 5.5 percent owing to the impact of both the strict Covid policies and a property crisis.
