Start of travel restrictions Following the reopening of China’s borders Maybe It influences where people book travel.
But it’s not mean, said several Chinese tourists who told CNBC.
That’s because some countries don’t allow entry, they said.
“I think it’s unfair”
Reactions from Chinese travelers who told CNBC ranged from indifference to confusion to anger.
“Of course I think it’s unfair,” said one citizen who asked to be called Bonnie. “But at the same time, we understand what’s going on.”
So far, more than a dozen countries have announced New rules for travelers departing from China. last week, The European Union, to its member states Chinese travelers are required to undergo a Covid test before entering the country.
But testing for the new coronavirus isn’t the problem, says Sean Lane, managing director of the China Market Research Group. told ‘Squawk Box Asia’ on Monday“These policies are aimed only at mainland Chinese,” he said.
Mansoor Mohammed, a South African living in China, agreed. “It’s relatively easy and cheap to get a Covid test in China, so it doesn’t affect my travel plans,” he said.
“However, I know many patriotic Chinese colleagues and friends avoid these countries for now because the practice of only screening passengers arriving from China is discriminatory.
Of course China wants Travelers test negative before entering the country China, and have for 3 years.
According to Mohammed, the difference is “each time we arrive [to China]including Chinese nationals… [is] follow the same rules. ”
where are the chinese going
Gao Dan told CNBC that he plans to leave Qinghai for the first time in more than two years. But she said she was staying in China, according to CNBC’s translation, and she added, “She hasn’t looked into travel policies in other countries.”
Some people book overseas trips, but they don’t go to their first destination of choice, namely Japan and South Korea.
A traveler named Bonnie told CNBC that her friends in China were planning to go to Thailand instead of South Korea.
Tool & Bruno Morandi | Image Bank | Getty Images
“When China said it would open its borders in January, all my friends said they were going to Japan and South Korea,” Bonnie said.
But they didn’t get visas, she said. “So they are going to Thailand now.”
Mr Laing said Chinese tourists are now heading to Singapore and Thailand because “both countries welcome us”.
Of the top destinations searched by Chinese after the border reopening announcement, these are the only two that have not imposed new restrictions on incoming Chinese travelers.
Data from Trip.com Group shows that search interest for outbound flights from mainland China increased by 83% in the 11 days after the announcement compared to the 14 days before the announcement.
According to the company, search interest in Thailand and Singapore increased by 176% and 93% respectively during this period.
Angry at some things more than others
Chinese officials called the rules from South Korea and others “excessive,”discriminatory.”
However, South Korea refutes the allegations of discrimination. Choi Seung-ho, deputy director of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told CNBC that the country’s rules “apply to South Korean citizens and non-South Korean citizens coming from China… There is no discrimination based on nationality.” ” he pointed out. measurement. “
“The Covid situation in China is still getting worse,” he said. The number of travelers from China to South Korea who tested positive for Covid-19 increased 14-fold from November to December, he said.
Japan’s prime minister’s office did not respond to CNBC’s request for comment. A representative of the Japanese embassy in Singapore told CNBC that Japan is processing China travel visa applications as normal.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters on the 27th, citing discrepancies in infection information from China, saying, “We are focusing on immigration inspections and airports to avoid a sharp increase in the number of new infections in China.” Stated.According to an article published by Nikkei Asia.
Japan and South Korea have taken conservative stances on the novel coronavirus pandemic.
especially in Japan slow to return to pre-pandemic life, Residents indicate There was little enthusiasm when the borders fully reopened in October 2022.
“Political issue”
Rein told “Squawk Box Asia” that the rule is not just for tourism.
“This is a political issue,” he said, adding that he expects Japanese stocks to be affected, naming two cosmetics.
“Be wary of Shiseido. Be wary of Kose because there will be a boycott,” he said.shares of Kose It fell on the Tokyo Stock Exchange on Tuesday, but Shiseido was higher.
Raine said the animosity towards South Korea and Japan would be temporary.
“It takes about three months for the anger to subside,” he said. “If both countries treat the Chinese properly, there will be a massive revenge trip from South Korea to Japan.”
Darren Straker, a New Zealander who lives and works in Shanghai, also believes the policy was politically motivated, calling it “the final sad gasp.” [as] Covid geopolitical doors will be closed. ”
