Where do you travel abroad? Southeast Asian countries await return of Chinese tourists

　　Starting from January 8, my country has implemented "Class B and B Control" for new coronavirus infection.

　　With the change of China's epidemic prevention policy, various parties in the world have reacted to it to varying degrees.

　　In terms of dealing with outbound tourists from China, according to the incomplete analysis by the reporter of China Business News, Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Singapore have expressed that they will treat entry requirements equally.

　　Europe, Japan and the United States have put forward different requirements for tourists with a history of living in China.

　　On the 6th, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated at a regular press conference that China has repeatedly emphasized that the epidemic prevention measures of various countries should be scientific and appropriate, and should not affect normal personnel exchanges, exchanges and cooperation between countries, and there should be no discriminatory practices. The opportunity should not be used for political manipulation.

In response to the unreasonable practices introduced by some countries, China will take corresponding measures in accordance with the principle of reciprocity in light of the epidemic situation and the needs of prevention and control.

Southeast Asian tourism economies may become major beneficiaries

　　According to the relevant announcement of the National Immigration Administration, the acceptance and approval of ordinary passports for Chinese citizens traveling abroad and visiting friends will be resumed in an orderly manner starting from January 8, and the processing of visas for mainland residents traveling to Hong Kong for travel and business will resume.

　　According to the results of a survey conducted by the China International Travel Exhibition (itb china) in December last year,

　　Song Seng Wun, an economist at CIMB in Singapore, said Chinese tourists newly able to travel would choose the "least hassle" (destination), that is, go to destinations that do not require testing, which in turn will increase Good for Southeast Asian economies.

"The busier the airports in the region, the better it is for economies," he added.

　　At present, countries such as the European Union, the United Kingdom, India, Japan, and the United States have put forward different levels of testing requirements for incoming passengers with a history of living in China, but most Southeast Asian countries have relatively moderate entry epidemic prevention policies.

　　Except for Malaysia and Thailand, which also need to conduct virus testing on aircraft wastewater, the border epidemic prevention policies of the other 11 countries in Southeast Asia are treated equally.

　　Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar said: "We have not taken a position of discrimination (against) any country." He also said on the 4th that reports about Chinese tourists are different from the actual situation and have no impact on the infection rate in Malaysia. "There were 53,000 Chinese tourists in December alone, and we haven't seen a surge in cases linked to any country."

　　On the 8th, according to foreign media reports, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture of Malaysia is proposing to allow Chinese tourists to enter Malaysia more smoothly.

On the 7th, the ministry stated that tightening the relevant procedures for the entry of tourists from countries including China is neither appropriate nor effective.

　　Malaysia's Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Zhang Qingxin also said on social media that the proposal "can simplify the entry process." And the proposal can also show that Malaysia is a friendly country that welcomes tourists from China.

　　Zhang Qingxin said that his department will station staff who can speak Mandarin at all international airports in Malaysia.

　　Thailand is currently open to all tourists. The newly adjusted entry policy specifically stipulates that they must hold a complete proof of vaccination against the new crown and must purchase medical insurance that includes treatment for the new crown.

The Thai government will set up a joint operation center to provide tourists with convenience in all aspects, and at the same time proposes to set up nucleic acid testing points in hotels.

　　Thailand has resumed receiving international tourists since the end of 2021, and its recovering tourism industry is also looking forward to the return of Chinese tourists.

　　Thailand is expected to welcome 5 million Chinese tourists in 2023. In 2019, Thailand welcomed 10.99 million Chinese tourists.

Malaysia expects to receive 1.5 million to 2 million Chinese tourists this year, up from around 3 million before the pandemic.

　　Ganeesh Rama, vice president of the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents, revealed that the association is preparing to conduct roadshows in Chinese cities to attract tourists.

　　In terms of countries and regions that have different levels of testing requirements for passengers with a history of living in China, in addition to countries such as Japan and the United States that have previously clarified their policies, the EU held a meeting to discuss the epidemic situation in China. After the meeting, the EU issued a statement saying that it is recommended that members China requires all passengers from China to provide a 48-hour negative nucleic acid test certificate, conduct nucleic acid sampling for passengers from China, and perform virus sequencing for positive results.

The EU also said it would reassess the situation and countermeasures before mid-January.

　　In this regard, Mao Ning said that China has taken note of the relevant EU meetings.

"What I want to emphasize is that China has taken the initiative to adjust and optimize the epidemic prevention and control measures based on scientific assessment. The situation of China's epidemic prevention and control is predictable and controllable. Recently, many EU member states have expressed to China that they warmly welcome Tourists from China will not take any restrictive measures. Professional organizations such as the European Center for Disease Control and Prevention have also made it clear that it is unreasonable to impose restrictive measures on tourists from China. The EU should listen to these rational voices, be objective, Take a fair look at the situation of China's epidemic prevention and control."

China's initiative to optimize and adjust epidemic prevention and control measures is generally welcomed by foreign investors

　　According to the "Overall Plan for the Implementation of "Class B and B Controls" for Novel Coronavirus Infection" (hereinafter referred to as the "Plan"), personnel coming to China will undergo a nucleic acid test 48 hours before departure. Foreign embassies and consulates apply for a health code and fill in the result in the customs health declaration card.

If positive, relevant personnel should come to China after turning negative.

Nucleic acid testing and centralized isolation for all staff after entry will be cancelled.

　　The "Plan" pointed out that those who have normal health declarations and no abnormalities in the routine quarantine at customs ports can be released to enter the society.

The number control measures for international passenger flights such as "five ones" and passenger load factor restrictions will be cancelled.

　　The "Plan" also stated that it will further optimize the arrangements for foreigners to come to China, such as resumption of work and production, business, study abroad, family visits, reunions, etc., and provide corresponding visa convenience.

Passenger entry and exit at sea and land ports will be gradually resumed.

　　Recently, many foreign chambers of commerce in China, including the American Chamber of Commerce in China, welcomed China's reopening.

　　In this regard, Shu Jueting, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce of China, told Yicai Global at a press conference on the 6th: "Many foreign-funded enterprises have indicated that they have begun to formulate an agenda for group high-level visits to China, actively promote the restart of related projects, and seek new ones. Investment Opportunities."

　　She said: "In the next step, we will, as always, expand market access for foreign capital, implement national treatment for foreign-funded enterprises, increase the protection of the legitimate rights and interests of foreign investment, create more convenient conditions for foreign investment in China, and strive to create a market-oriented and law-based , an international first-class business environment, and share the opportunities of China's opening up and development."

　　Shu Jueting told the first financial reporter: "Since the outbreak of the epidemic, the Chinese government has always insisted on putting people first and life first, optimizing and adjusting prevention and control measures according to the time and situation, and effectively coordinating epidemic prevention and control and economic and social development. In the process, The Ministry of Commerce continues to pay attention to the operating conditions of foreign-funded enterprises in China, give full play to the role of special teams for key foreign-funded projects in the foreign trade and foreign investment coordination mechanism, carry out targeted and regular exchanges with foreign-funded enterprises and foreign business associations, and actively coordinate and solve the epidemic caused by the operation of foreign-funded enterprises. difficulties and problems, and fully guarantee the production and operation of foreign-funded enterprises.”

She said that recently, the foreign-funded special class has carried out "one-on-one" with relevant foreign-funded enterprises and a number of foreign business associations on measures such as the "Twenty Articles", "New Ten Articles" and the implementation of "Class B and B Management" for the prevention and control of the new crown epidemic. Visit to understand.

China's initiative to optimize and adjust the epidemic prevention and control measures has been widely welcomed by foreign-funded enterprises and foreign business associations in China. Development in China is expected to be more stable."