COVID arrivals measures should be science-based: China Daily editorial

In light of the current pandemic situation, as part of the adjustment to its prevention and control policy, China has announced it will resume outbound tourism, on a pilot basis to start with, and scrap tests and quarantine for arrivals from Jan 8.

Many countries have extended a warm welcome to Chinese visitors following the announcement. Yet a number of Western countries, including the United States, Japan and several members of the European Union, have run counter to the favorable reception that has greeted the move and instead announced strict measures for arrivals from the Chinese mainland.

These measures are not based on science, as many health experts, including those in Western countries, have already pointed out it is unnecessary and ineffective to test arrivals from the Chinese mainland, or with a travel history there within seven days, as the rest of the world already has all the variants that are spreading in China.

Like the European branch of Airports Council International said in a news release on New Year's Eve, the systematic pre-departure or on-arrival testing of travelers from China for COVID-19 is "neither scientifically justified nor risk-based". The organization also expressed its "regret" at the unilaterally imposed COVID-related travel requirements imposed on travelers from the mainland.

Seemingly in response to the many such voices who say the measures are unjustified, unreasonable and discriminatory, the United Kingdom has reportedly changed its position and said passengers from the Chinese mainland will not face compulsory COVID-19 tests on arrival.

With members of the EU adopting different measures with regard to the imminent arrival of travelers from the Chinese mainland, with several of its members having adopted discriminatory COVID policies targeting arrivals from the mainland and others extending a warm welcome, the EU is expected to work out a coordinated approach on Wednesday on whether and what measures the bloc should adopt with regard to arrivals from the Chinese mainland. It is crucial that the bloc allow science and impartiality to prevail, and not let discrimination and political calculation hijack its decision.

Those who are smearing China's pandemic policy shift and hyping up or even distorting China's epidemic prevention and control policy are two-faced and hypocritical as they were also the ones who constantly criticized China's strict COVID measures and repeatedly urged China to reopen its borders. It seems that for these politically biased people whatever China does must be wrong.

Since the pathogenicity and virulence of the virus have significantly weakened, and China's optimized COVID strategy is in line with the majority of countries, a responsible and science-based approach should be adhered to and countries should make concerted efforts to ensure safe cross-border travel, keep global industry and supply chains stable and restore world economic growth.