China halts travel visa service for S. Koreans in protest of Coronavirus restrictions
10 Jan 2023 02:43pm
Last week, China announced that the test samples of coronavirus-positive passengers arriving from abroad will be analysed to determine the variant. - Photo: AFP
SEOUL - China announced the suspension of its short-term visa service for South Koreans on Tuesday, in retaliation against Seoul's regulations on entries from the neighbour with increasing COVID-19 infections, reported Yonhap.
The Chinese Embassy in Seoul made public the decision in a post on its WeChat account, citing an "instruction" from Beijing for its embassy and consulates to stop issuing visas, including visits for trade, tourism and medical care purposes.
China plans to "adjust" the measure in accordance with the situation in which South Korea cancels its "discriminatory entry restrictions against China," the embassy said.
The South Korean government has tightened curbs on travellers from China, halting the issuance of short-term visas for Chinese nationals until the end of this month, and requiring all arrivals to undergo a PCR test within the first day of their entry.
It has also temporarily stopped increasing flights to and from China.
On Monday, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang expressed concerns over Seoul's steps during a phone call with his South Korean counterpart, Park Jin. Park explained that the restrictions were imposed "on a scientific basis," according to his office - BERNAMA
