Passengers from China wait before proceeding to a COVID-19 testing center upon their arrival at the Incheon International Airport in Incheon, South Korea, on January 14, 2023. Photo: VCG

All inbound travelers from South Korea to China must undergo COVID-19 testing upon arrival, and those testing positive will have to quarantine at home, according to Chinese airlines, as China further escalates its countermeasures against South Korea's discriminatory travel curbs.

"We are ready to work with countries to do as much as possible to facilitate normal cross-border travel. However, following the discriminatory measures adopted by certain countries that target Chinese citizens, we are compelled to respond accordingly in line with the principle of reciprocity," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a routine press briefing on Wednesday.

"From February 1, all those entering on direct flights from South Korea to China must undergo testing. Those who test positive should be quarantined at home or in their residence, or seek medical treatment," said a notice by China Eastern Airlines on Tuesday.

Both South Korean nationals and Chinese nationals will undergo the mandatory testing, according to the airline.

Previously, China required passengers from South Korea to undergo nucleic acid tests within 48 hours before boarding planes. Random testing will be given during customs checks after landing.

Facing South Korea's discriminatory and unnecessary travel restrictions against travelers from China, citing COVID-19 concerns, China has suspended issuing short-term visas for South Korean nationals to travel to China for visits, business, tourism, medical treatment, transit or other personal affairs.

The decision will be reassessed as soon as South Korea removes its discriminatory travel restrictions targeting travelers from China, according to the Chinese Embassy in South Korea.

But South Korea has not yet scrapped its discriminatory travel curbs; it even extended the restrictions till February 28. South Korea requires passengers from China to present a PCR test within 48 hours or a negative antigen test within 24 hours before boarding a flight to South Korea. They also have to take a PCR test on the first day of arrival in South Korea at their own expense.

China hopes that South Korea will lift its unreasonable restriction as soon as possible, Mao said previously, noting that China is ready to take corresponding measures to facilitate personnel exchanges between the two countries on this basis.

Global Times