Virus restrictions on travelers from China leave Beijing fuming

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) – China on Tuesday blasted various COVID-19 measures taken by several nations against travelers from the world’s largest populated country.

“We firmly oppose the practice of manipulating epidemic prevention and control measures to achieve political goals, and will take corresponding measures according to the principle of reciprocity,” Chinese Foreign Ministry’s spokeswoman Mao Ning told a news conference in Beijing.

Mao said these restrictions imposed only on travelers from China are “unacceptable … as that epidemic control response lacks scientific merit,” Chinese state broadcaster CGTN reported.

Beijing’s angry response comes after Japan, the US, Italy, Malaysia, Spain, Morocco, Qatar, Canada, South Korea, and Taiwan announced requiring negative COVID-19 tests from travelers coming from China.

The steps are in contrast to Beijing’s decision to scrap mandatory quarantine for all visitors starting Jan. 8.

However, Beijing said the COVID-19 requirements being imposed by countries on travelers from China should be based on science.

China is facing an explosive spike in infections after dumping its strict “zero-COVID" policy last month, following unrest and unprecedented protests in parts of the country.