According to an article published in the Guardian, China has approved entry only to those foreign visitors who have been injected with China-made vaccines.
China to resume visa processing
China is resuming visa processing for foreigners from dozens of countries, but only if they have been inoculated against Covid-19 with a Chinese-made vaccine.
Beijing had largely banned non-essential travel into China during the pandemic. Resumption of travel is a key driver for economic recovery and many countries are discussing carefully negotiated bubbles, or mutually recognized vaccination passports, as they implement domestic vaccine rollouts.
Approval to vaccine
The question has been raised by many on the China-made vaccine as it has not been approved by many countries.
China even said that it will not even accept the foreign visitors injected with the vaccine approved by the World Health Organisation.
U.S embassy on China
The statement issued by the embassy in the US said, China would now allow the return of “foreign nationals and their family members visiting the mainland of China for resuming work and production in various fields”.
It also broadened eligibility for non-emergent “humanitarian needs” travel, for family members of Chinese citizens or residents who want to visit for family reunions, care for elderly or ill relatives, or attend funerals.
Countries that approve Chinese vaccine
China now has five vaccines approved for either general or emergency use, including three that are also being distributed to other countries either through trade or aid.
Chinese vaccines have also been approved for use in the Philippines, Thailand, and Iraq, but in several other countries to which China has offered the travel option, there is no Chinese vaccine available.
Press release on Chinese vaccine
In a press briefing on Tuesday, Zhao Lijian, the ministry of foreign affairs spokesperson, denied the rule was designed to push other countries to recognize China’s vaccines.
“Our proposal … is made after thoroughly considering the safety and efficacy of Chinese vaccines,” Zhao said. “This is an arrangement made by the Chinese side unilaterally. It is a different thing from vaccine recognition.”
Vaccine expert Robert Booy’s thoughts
Robert Booy, an infectious disease and vaccine expert from the University of Sydney, said Beijing’s announcement was “a good sign” for people returning to China for work, and it made sense to want those returnees to be vaccinated.
But the fact that Chinese-made vaccines were not available in many countries made things difficult. “I would hope the Chinese authorities would accept any reputable Covid vaccine,” Booy said.
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Source: The Guardian
