One of the strictest restrictions yet applied China for biosecurity was the suspension of the approval of visas to foreigners. But this measure has been lifted by Beijing and will be introduced from Wednesday, March 15, more than three years after the outbreak of the epidemic. coronavirus.

In addition, visas issued before March 28, 2020 that are still valid are valid to enter China.

The Asian country was one of the strictest in focusing biosecurity measures on its citizens. But since the end of 2022, the authorities have been approaching the end of the regime of mass testing, lockdowns and long quarantines, but with that they caused a sudden spike in covid cases.

Demonstrations in late November called for more freedoms and even the resignation of President Xi Jinping, an opposition to communist rule not seen since the pro-democracy uprising the army suppressed in 1989.

Beijing announced in late December that foreign visitors would no longer be quarantined, but maintained visa restrictions.

At the time, Beijing said it would “continue to adjust its visa policy for foreigners visiting China in a scientific and dynamic manner in accordance with (…) the pandemic situation.”

It also resumed processing Chinese passports for “tourism” or “visiting friends from abroad”.