Strictest foreigner entry policy proactive to cutting infections

Limitedd impact seen f for economic exchangesh

China has taken its strictest measure toward foreigners since the openingup and reform, which temporarily forbids foreign nationals from entering the border to avoid a second wave of the coronavirus outbreak. Experts said the unprecedented move is necessary and responsible, given that the pandemic has been worsening overseas and China’s precautionary measures could avoid the emergence of another Wuhan.

Starting Saturday, foreign nationals will temporarily be denied from entering China even with valid visas, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and National Immigration Administration announced in a notice Thursday night, in a move called by some experts as “semi sealing off of the border” that signals the country’s determination to fight the epidemic.

The notice says foreign passport holders coming to China for necessary economic, trade, scientific or technological activities or out of emergency humanitarian needs can apply for new visas at Chinese embassies or consulates.

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 COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control work, Li Haidong, a professor at the Institute of International Relations of China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times.

The spread of the pandemic all over the world shows that it’s still rising and has not peaked. For China, the imported infections are an urgent challenge and if this cannot be dealt with properly, our efforts over the past months could be ruined, so we have taken this measure, which will also benefit the world, Li said.

The notice also explained that the suspension is a temporary measure that China is “compelled to take in light of the outbreak situation and the practices of other countries.” These measures will be calibrated in light of the evolving situation and announced accordingly, it said.

Experts noted that the newly released measure won’t have too much impact on foreign companies’ operations in China and necessary trade and business activities, and won’t hinder China’s exports of medical supplies to foreign countries.

As of Thursday, China has reported 595 imported cases, with the capital Beijing shouldering the heaviest burden of receiving those patients.

“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, Yang said.

Leaving a channel open

Mei Xinyu, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, said the measures China has taken are thoughtful as it leaves a channel open for foreigners who work in the trade and technology sectors.

It’s necessary to keep open such a channel, as the country, which is the world’s factory and largest manufacturer, is resuming work amid the outbreak, Mei said.

While some Western media outlets have voiced concern that these new measures, including a reduction in domestic and international flights by the Aviation Administration of China, may make it harder for other countries to import medical supplies from China, a Chinese medical gear company said this is not a problem.

“The cut in international flights will not hinder China’s exports of medical supplies to virus-hit countries because governments will resort to chartered flights, which would help them get the products,” said a manager surnamed Chang with a Beijing-based medical gear exporter.

“As far as I know, some Central Asian countries have recently sent charter flights to China to ship epidemic prevention and control products,” Chang said.

Meanwhile, several employees at foreign companies in China told the Global Times on Friday that the new regulation won’t have too much of an impact on their businesses.

Cha Sheng, general manager of VorWerk China, told the Global Times on Friday, “As the virus hit globally, face-to-face business activities are unlikely at present and all of us work at home, so the restrictions would not affect us that much.”