China have stopped issuing visas for South Koreans and Japanese travellers in response for their COVID restrictions on Chinese commuters.  

Beijing says restrictions on the South Koreans will remain until the “discriminatory” restrictions against China are lifted.  

Japan and South Korea aren’t the only countries imposing entry restrictions upon the Chinese but theirs are amongst the most stringent against the Chinese. 

China’s cases have been rising rapidly recently after the reopening of it’s borders on Sunday.  

South Korea have stopped issuing visas for those travelling from China which the Chinese foreign secretary dubbed “unacceptable” and “unscientific”.  

Japan are allowing Chinese travellers in providing they first provide a negative Covid test which is similar to both British and American restrictions but Japan differ in the fact that certain cities are not allowing Chinese travellers in. 

Reacting to China’s latest visa restrictions, South Korea’s foreign ministry told the BBC that its policy towards arrivals from China was “in accordance with scientific and objective evidence”. 

At the moment, only a small number of business or diplomatic travellers from China are being allowed into South Korea. They must test negative before departure and also on arrival. 

Originally Written: 10th January 2023