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The Chinese embassy in Seoul said today it has stopped issuing short-term visas to visitors from South Korea, Reuters reported. It is one of Beijing's first reactions to the imposition of anti-covid measures on travelers from China, where the virus is spreading extremely quickly.
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The epidemic of coronavirus (COVID-19) 32464
China opened its borders on Sunday after three years of isolation, lifting the last major restriction that was part of a dynamic domestic "zero covid" policy.
It began to be loosened early last month after historic protests against the restrictions.
Since the easing of measures, Chinese authorities have stopped publishing daily infection figures and have reported fewer deaths per day since the policy took a U-turn.
The WHO disputes the data, as there is evidence of growth in the demand for services from funeral agencies, writes BTA.
The US, South Korea, France and many other countries have proposed mandatory testing of Chinese travelers in response to the growing pandemic there.
Although Beijing requires Covid tests for all travelers entering China, officials threatened last week to retaliate against countries mandating mandatory testing for travelers from China.
The first such move is the temporary suspension of the issuance of short-term visas for visitors from South Korea by the Chinese embassy in Seoul.
The embassy wrote on China's WeChat platform that it would suspend the new change depending on whether South Korea lifts "discriminatory entry restrictions" on travelers from China.
The announcement comes a day after a phone call between Chinese Foreign Minister Qing Gan and his South Korean counterpart Park Jin raised the issue of restrictions.
South Korea introduces covid tests for arrivals from China
China has rejected criticism of the official data it shares with the general public, saying the accusations are an attempt to defame its success in handling the pandemic.
Beijing has said that future mutations of the virus will likely be more contagious but cause less damage to the body.
State media today continued to play down the seriousness of the covid spread.
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The coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic
China
South Korea
visas
covid tests