China’s foreign affairs ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, stated that Beijing would respond to any provincial or regional moves that restrict entry for Chinese citizens. The assertion came during a briefing where she outlined the government’s stance and hinted at potential reciprocal measures should other jurisdictions impose barriers to travel. The communication framed these steps as a defensive move aimed at safeguarding the rights and mobility of Chinese nationals abroad while signaling Beijing’s readiness to act against what it views as unjustified entry controls.
In her remarks, Mao Ning suggested that several nations had implemented travel restrictions on Chinese travelers under the banner of pandemic containment. She described these actions as measures taken under the pretext of fighting the coronavirus, implying that some of the policies may have broader political or economic motivations beyond public health concerns. The briefing underscored Beijing’s insistence that such restrictions be reviewed and ideally aligned with principles of fairness, transparency, and reciprocity in international travel norms.
Meanwhile, U.S. authorities introduced a mandatory coronavirus testing requirement for all flights arriving from China, effective January 5. The policy appeared to apply to all passengers aged two and older. Reports indicated that travelers would be required to present a negative test result before departing Chinese departure points, with tests needing to be taken within 48 hours before the flight. This new rule added another layer to the evolving landscape of cross-border health screening and border management during the broader global health response.
On December 28, the General Administration of Customs of China announced a notable shift in health screening policy, announcing the cancellation of PCR testing for individuals entering China from January 8 of the following year. The move was presented as part of a broader effort to streamline entry procedures and reduce friction for travelers who would otherwise face repeated testing. Observers noted that the plan reflected ongoing coordination between health authorities and border control agencies as global travel patterns began to rebound after extended travel restrictions. The policy update signaled a balancing act between maintaining practical public health safeguards and facilitating international mobility, a theme that has characterized travel policy through the pandemic era and into the subsequent normalization phase.