Beijing threatens retaliation for Covid discrimination
New pandemic restrictions on travelers from China are motivated by politics over science, the Foreign Ministry has said | Beijing has vowed to take countermeasures after the US and other countries tightened their Covid-19 rules for those traveling from China. The new restrictions follow the country’s decision to ease its own health policies at home. Asked about the pandemic measures during a Tuesday press briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning noted that while many countries had responded “warmly” to China’s relaxed Covid rules, others reacted with “disproportionate” and “unacceptable” restrictions. 💬 “We stand ready to step up communication with the rest of the international community and work together to prevail over Covid. Meanwhile, we do not believe the entry restriction measures some countries have taken against China are science-based,” she said. “We firmly reject using Covid measures for political purposes and will take corresponding measures in response to varying situations based on the principle of reciprocity.” ● Australia became one of the latest to adopt new measures against travelers from China on Sunday, requiring negative Covid-19 tests within 48 hours prior to their departure beginning on January 5.
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