Beijing considers China-US exchange after America declares easing of pandemic entry rules

Name: Travel bubble: Hong Kong and Singapore to launch quarantine-free entry after long delay
Uploaded: 2021-04-28T15:00:11.000Z
Duration: 1 min 40 s
Description: Travel bubble: Hong Kong and Singapore to launch quarantine-free entry after long delay

China’s foreign ministry did not commit to a specific reciprocal arrangement but said Beijing would ‘push for safe and orderly personnel exchanges’

The easing of restrictions by the US will trigger more demand for flights as Chinese students and others prepare to travel

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China’s foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian says Beijing welcomes the “positive move” by the US to allow entry by students, academics and journalists from various countries, including China, more than a year after pandemic restrictions hit. Photo: Getty Images/AFP

Catherine Wong

Published: 11:00pm, 28 Apr 2021Updated: 12:22am, 29 Apr 2021

China said it was willing to resume a travel exchange with the United States following an announcement by the US it was easing some coronavirus travel bans.

The US has announced it will allow students and professionals in various categories and from various countries, including China, to enter the country.

Journalists, students and academics covered by visitor exchange programmes and travellers from Brazil, Britain, China, Iran, Ireland, the Schengen Area (covering most European Union countries) and South Africa who “provide vital support for critical infrastructure” may now qualify for a “national interest exception” which would allow them entry to the US.

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Travel bubble: Hong Kong and Singapore to launch quarantine-free entry after long delay

The US Department of State said students with valid visas could enter the United States 30 days before school started in August. They would not need an individual national interest exception to travel.

The announcement comes more than a year after the US suspended entry for travellers who had been in mainland China 14 days before travelling because of the Covid-19 outbreak.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said on Wednesday that China welcomed the “positive move”.

“The Chinese side … thinks this is a positive step taken by the US side,” Zhao said.

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