If Hong Kong reopens to international travel, it almost certainly will see a spike in infections and lose all chance of reopening with China. China opens its borders to foreigners who take Chinese shots, as geopolitical vaccine silos emerge By Julia Hollingsworth, CNN Updated 1:40 AM EDT, Sat March 20, 2021 Link Copied! Or you can also apply a new visa to China. China won't open up after lockdown anytime soon 26 September 2021 Author: Nicholas Thomas, CityU What is normal in a post-pandemic world? You can travel to China without applying a new visa if you qualify for visa-free transit policy. China is unlikely to re-open its borders in 2022 It is the last large country with a zero-covid policy Nov 8th 2021 By Sue-Lin Wong: Correspondent, The Economist I N JUNE 2021 one of. According to a draft policy document released by Chinas Ministry of Culture and Tourism on September 19, tour groups organized by travel agencies in Chinas border areas will be able to choose their port of entry and exit flexibly.. That may take a while.. Shanghai's neon skyline is one of China's modern wonders. More than a year and a half after COVID-19 concerns prompted the U.S. to close its borders to international travelers from countries including Brazil, China, India, South Africa, the U.K. and much of Europe, restrictions are shifting to focus on vaccine status. As this border stretches more than 2000 kilometers, this The Communist Party has made the goal of eliminating covid-19 infections a top priority. August 17, 2021, 10:54 AM UTC In June, Hong Kong began loosening pandemic travel restrictions that, over the past 18 months, have transformed it from "Asia's World City" to one of the most. Moodys and Fitch also both downgraded Evergrandes credit rating in June, citing its worsening financial conditions. Only 36% of people over the age of 60 have gotten one dose, according to government data, which means that a Delta outbreak could prove deadly in Hong Kong. How can the idea of a return to a normal state of affairs be articulated and realised by a state? The city government doesnt want to be seen as pursuing an opposing policy as the rest of China, Thomas said. Heavy flooding and record rains devastated parts of Henan province on Tuesday, leaving terrified subway passengers clinging to ceiling handles inside flooded cars, trapped up to their necks in rising water. 27/12/2022. This is the first in a series about China's plans to reopen its borders amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The government has also struggled to increase vaccine uptake among older people, meaning a huge proportion of our population will be exposed to the problems associated with Delta the moment we open up internationally, Thomas said. In March 2020, I wrote that life was returning to normal in China, but that other countries faced a longer wait. China is the last large country in the world with a zero-covid policy. How harsh are Chinas COVID restrictions? Loved ones have missed holidays, birthdays and funerals while nonessential air travel was barred, and they are now eager to reconnect. Disney fans will also be pleased to hear that Shanghai Disney Resort is open as normal, albeit with some health precautions. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. will accept travelers who have been fully vaccinated with any of the vaccines approved for emergency use by the World Health Organization, not just those in use in the U.S. That means that the AstraZeneca vaccine, widely used in Canada, will be accepted. Did you encounter any technical issues? 2. News Corp is a global, diversified media and information services company focused on creating and distributing authoritative and engaging content and other products and services. But in China, even people suffering from mild symptoms are hospitalised. A single case can lead to city-wide testing and lockdown. Its bad enough to have to worry youll be jailed in retaliation for whatever critical comments you made even years ago. And it means clinging onto the zero-Covid strategy, which is looking increasingly untenable in a world where Covid has become basically endemic, Thomas said. Surveys by the American and European chambers of commerce suggested the number of foreign residents in China had fallen by 30% in 18 months. In order to open its borders, China will first have to vaccinate its population. Locally made jabs have been given to two-fifths of the population, with assurances that they are highly effective. All Rights Reserved. And it isn't just about borders Analysis by Nectar Gan, CNN Updated 8:02 PM EST, Mon November 15, 2021 Link Copied! The more the better: China said on Tuesday it would allow tax deductions for expenses on children under 3 years old, and strictly regulate the after-school tutoring sector, as part of its efforts to raise the countrys plunging birthrates by encouraging couples to have more children. China has maintained a strict zero-Covid approach, even as many other countries transition to living with the coronavirus. Passengers walk through Salt Lake City International Airport, Oct. 27, 2020. The vaccination campaign initially targeted key workers and those with a high chance of being exposed to or transmitting the virus. Beijing, where top leaders live, is off limits. Visits by political leaders from abroad have largely ceased. Its many dynasties have left their marks in world-famous heritage sites, such as the Great Wall, the Terracotta Warriors of Xian, and ancient towns such as Lijiang. Finally, the west is doing its own reopening. However, the Omicron variant has proven challenging, and the government is still pursuing a zero Covid strategy. The Hong Kong government needs to get more people vaccinated, and then also be looking at booster shots before they can really start to relax their guard, he says. Jul 17th 2021 I T IS BECOMING clear that China will not, or perhaps cannot, re-open its borders soon. Lams comments illustrate just how closely Hong Kongs government has tied its Covid strategy with China not surprising for a Chinese territory but a further sign of Hong Kongs deteriorating reputation as an international hub. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much I did not imagine that this longer wait would extend until the summer of 2021. Like elsewhere, the pandemic has changed China in many ways some of which might add to the concerns of foreigners who plan to visit. For the most part, citizens and residents could enter the city after serving 14- to 21-day quarantines. China is in the opposite camp, along with South Korea and the Philippines. Last month, online magazine ChinaFile said among 121 China-connected scholars, journalists, former diplomats and civil society workers it surveyed, only 44% said they planned to travel to China once coronavirus restrictions are lifted; 40% said they probably or definitely would not visit, while the rest were unsure. According to the World Health Organization, more than 40 countries have started vaccinating. When the campaign expanded to the general public in March of this year, most preferred to wait and see, especially because the chance of being infected while staying on the mainland is minuscule. Things can change fast in China. Evergrande said Monday that it would take legal action against the creditor for demanding the court freeze its assets. And Hong Kong has to be considered a safe place before the borders can reopen with China.. California: Do Not Sell My Personal Information, Ten business trends for 2023, and forecasts for 15 industries, The weather system that influences the world. But long before the warning, some Americans and other Westerners with long-lasting professional ties with China had already grown wary of visiting both mainland China and Hong Kong. "I'm planning to take my baby down for the American Thanksgiving," said Robinson, who lives in St. Thomas, Ontario. Why are we still employing strict measures to prevent and control the disease? Zhong asked in an interview with Southern Weekly, a newspaper based in Guangzhou. The moves come as the U.S. has seen its COVID-19 outlook improve dramatically in recent weeks since the summer delta surge that pushed hospitals to the brink in many locations. Zhongs comments suggest that Chinas government may be warming to the idea of learning to live with COVID, marking another shift in stance. More than 100,000 people have so far been evacuated from low lying areas of the city, with thousands of emergency personnel deployed to assist in the effort, according to state-run media. Would-be travelers must be careful as flights can be canceled at the last minute. China's borders will likely remain shut for months, but some may be wary of visiting even after they reopen By Nectar Gan and Jessie Yeung, CNN Updated 2:39 AM EDT, Wed July 21, 2021 Link. Its much more unsettling to think you could be thrown in jail as a hostage simply because you hold an American passport, the way Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor were thrown in jail as Canadian hostages, in retaliation for something my government did that the Chinese regime didnt like, wrote James Mann, a journalist and author on China. Hong Kong doesnt have any real power to decide upon, he added. In Chinas publishing business, you have to duck and dive, How nationalism is making life harder for gay people in China, China is keeping its borders closed, and turning inward, California: Do Not Sell My Personal Information, Chinas prime minister, Li Keqiang, is about to retire, Chinese arms could revive Russias failing war, How to prevent sycophancy in Chinas civil service. The bottom line is that businesses should be aware that the risks faced in mainland China are now increasingly present in Hong Kong, White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters. The problem is that opening the borders is hard to reconcile with Chinese peoples expectations of zero Covid cases. This week, it further clarified that the change although not yet legislated has already been effective since the announcement, amid confusion over its implementation. In the article, many respondents cited the ongoing detainment of Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor as a primary source of their anxiety. China is building a wall (or fortified fence) along its border with Myanmar (Asia Times, 19 December 2020). Powered and implemented by Interactive Data Managed Solutions. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Covid-19 page. In order to open its borders, China will first have to vaccinate its population. but for China, borders closed to tourists is a net . The domestic propaganda machinery has spent months boasting of the superiority of Chinas authoritarian system in suppressing the virus. Among those who replied they would probably or definitely not visit, reasons ranged from previous visa rejections to outright fear of detention for themselves and for the Chinese people they work with or interview, and concerns that restrictions on movement, research, or reporting would compromise the professional value of spending time in China, said ChinaFile, which is published by the Asia Societys Center on US-China Relations. This week, Zhang Wenhong, one of Chinas most prominent infectious disease experts, is battling a plagiarism allegation that could tar his professional reputation after he was criticized online and by state media outlets for suggesting that China should deviate from its COVID-zero approach and learn to live with the virus. China has reported 2.7 million cases and 15,133 deaths as of September 21, 2022. Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam at the Legislative Council on October 6. Editors Note: A version of this story appeared in CNNs Meanwhile in China newsletter, a three-times-a-week update exploring what you need to know about the countrys rise and how it impacts the world. 0. Some foreign ministers have been admitted to China to meet their counterpart, Wang Yi, but only in provincial cities. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. And, Chan claimed, the majority of Hong Kongers are happy with things as they are. This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Perhaps China wants to protect domestic drugmakers from competition, suggest foreign diplomats. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Powered and implemented by Interactive Data Managed Solutions. She was thrilled to hear the U.S. is reopening its land crossings to vaccinated travelers. Local officials have been fired over a few cases in their districts. Travelers walk through Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, China, on Saturday, May 1, 2021. I n March 2020, . China brought us papermaking, printing, and, of course, tea. Many have waited for more than a year to reunite with loved ones. Ordinary Chinese associate the virus with fear and stigma, knowing that a single infected person may force thousands of neighbours, colleagues or classmates into quarantine. When the virus does manage to seep into the country, Chinas government deploys neighborhood- or citywide lockdowns, mass testing, and intensive contact-tracing measures to find infections and halt outbreaks. Copyright The Economist Newspaper Limited 2023. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Sign up here. See how we collect data and find out why not all countries are included in the statistics. Equally, China may want to buy time for a locally made mRNA vaccine that is known to be in development. By. It is not clear how many people were trapped on the subway and rescue efforts remain ongoing across Zhengzhou, a city of 12.6 million on the banks of the Yellow River. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. Mutual distrust will be hard to overcome until China re-opens. Residents from many provinces now get shopping coupons when they are vaccinated, and nationwide 20m doses are being administered every day. Hong Kongs decision to follow suit means the diverse metropolis, once known for attracting international business and globetrotting expats, is instead retreating further into isolation. China is making it easier for foreigners to enter the country. Unlike smaller economies that rely heavily on cross-border capital flows, outside talent or international tourism, Covid-19border restrictions have not stopped China from roaring back into growth. The city is now effectively stuck in limbo, backed into a corner by its own policies with no easy path out. The companys problems are many. Athletes' ambitions don't end when they leave the field of play. Anyone visiting China is urged to be flexible as lockdowns can happen to apartment buildings, offices, or even entire neighborhoods with little notice. Beijing has charged them with espionage, but most outside of China see their detention as retaliation for Mengs arrest and a bargaining chip to help leverage her release. But Chinas continued reliance on COVID-zero protocols despite its high vaccination rate has raised questions about whether the measures will be a fixture of Chinese life for the long term. For air travelers, the airlines are required to verify vaccine records and match them against ID, and if they don't, they could face fines of up to nearly $35,000 per violation. Their everyday movements will be tracked by a mandatory smartphone health code app, required for entry to office buildings, restaurants, shopping malls and train stations. Non-Chinese vaccines might speed up the answer . Land travel from Mexico and Canada will require proof of vaccination but no test. Staying home is the best way to stem transmission. Let them study online, Chinese officials tell diplomats who mention their plight. All Rights Reserved. Headhunters are struggling to attract new talent to Hong Kong, with people looking instead to places with more relaxed rules. Subscribe to Eastworld for insight on whats dominating business in Asia, delivered free to your inbox. The semi-autonomous Chinese territory recently reopened to foreign visitors, although it still has some of the harshest quarantine rules in the world. The vaccination campaign . In the politically tumultuous two years following the 2019 Hong Kong protests, China has extended more and more of its reach into the city and in return, Lams administration has stepped up its rhetoric emphasizing integration with the mainland. Strict quarantine requirements may therefore persist for much, if not all, of 2022. vaccination programme. If youre planning a trip to China, heres what youll need to know and expect if you want to visit during the global coronavirus pandemic. All rights reserved. Zhong did not say how quickly China may reopen once reaching the 80%85% vaccination coverage, but he estimated that at Chinas current pace, over 80% of the population would be fully vaccinated by the end of this year. Given all these factors, it is not obvious how China will start to re-open, especially before some big events have safely passed. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. Bloomberg View columnist Barry Ritholtz looks at the people and ideas that shape markets, investing and business. The outside world stands for chaos. Im most concerned that we may end up with neither of these in the next 12 months, Cowling says. Hordes of Chinese tourists are now only found in China. But this approach has sowed growing discontent among the public, particularly foreign nationals, who make up nearly 10% of the citys 7.5 million population. At the time of writing, eight positive cases have been detected, including other port workers and their family members, none of whom have so much as run a fever. 2023 Fortune Media IP Limited. Chan refuted that estimate, but didnt provide much hope for an earlier opening either. The U.S. lifted restrictions Monday on travel from a long list of countries including Mexico, Canada and most of Europe, allowing tourists to make long-delayed trips and family members to reconnect with loved ones after more than a year and a half apart because of the pandemic. State media describe foreigners, notably Americans, as too selfish, science-scorning and obsessed with individual rights to control the virus. Fears among investors are growing over a debt crisis that has engulfed one of Chinas largest property developers. Some provinces require additional quarantine upon arrival. appreciated. China wants 80% of its population vaccinated by the end of 2021. Arrivals are screened once more at the airport. Rigorous testing and 20 million vaccinations a day might see Beijing ready to host the Winter Olympics 2022. Updated Many people in China like being covid-free. For which countries are the borders with China open? Feel the need for speed? When China is reopening its border in 2021 for foreigners? Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much This story has been updated to include Hong Kongs new quarantine rules formally announced late Tuesday evening. Authorities acted swiftly. The party has several important events it does not want disrupted by covid-19 outbreaks. The government plans to achieve two negative tests from each person in the entire population of about 240,000 from the local Yantian region, before declaring the crisis over. Chinese leaders have declared that zero tolerance of covid-19. The city of Guangzhou recently built a $260 million, 5,000-room central quarantine facility to house incoming travelers, stoking fears among experts that China may construct such facilities across the country to maintain border restrictions and long quarantines for years to come. Arguably, opening to China will bring in far more economic value, said Bernard Chan, convenor of the government advisory Executive Council. China has tripled its daily COVID-19 vaccine rollout in June, inoculating 44% of its population with at least one dose, but its health experts warn against a quick border reopening, citing an . As of Jan 8, 2023, travelers from the United States and Canada are no longer required to take mandatory quarantine after landing in Chinese mainland. Many attractions require guests to register one day in advance and to take a Covid test before being permitted to enter. I was vaccinated at the first opportunity, and in the last few weeks the campaign has turned up a notch. Evergrande is one of Chinas most heavily indebted developers, with borrowings amounting to more than $100 billion by the end of 2020, according to its financial reports. Of course, international travel is important, international business is important to us but by comparison, the mainland is more important.. All Rights Reserved. This opacity is a problem. Editors Note: A version of this story appeared in CNNs Meanwhile in China newsletter, a three-times-a-week update exploring what you need to know about the countrys rise and how it impacts the world. In recent weeks, Hong Kong has registered dozens of Delta-variant infections among travelers in its quarantine hotels, even as the city has not registered its own COVID-19 outbreak in months. See how we collect data and find out why not all countries are included in the statistics. Chinas COVID-zero measures, which prioritize snuffing out even one COVID-19 case no matter the cost, have remained largely the same since the country successfully contained the worlds first outbreak of infections in Wuhan in the spring of 2020.