Lams comments illustrate just how closely Hong Kongs government has tied its Covid strategy with China not surprising for a Chinese territory but a further sign of Hong Kongs deteriorating reputation as an international hub. China is basically going to pursue the zero-tolerance strategy for the foreseeable future, which means Hong Kong can either go in opposition (and open internationally) or align with China.. Shanghai's neon skyline is one of China's modern wonders. On June 28, China announced that it would loosen, but not drop, its requirements for incoming travelers. I n March 2020, . But the mainland authorities have refused. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Mainland China is currently deploying measures like strict lockdowns while battling its own Delta-driven COVID-19 outbreaks, even as it has provided enough vaccine doses to inoculate two-thirds of its population. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Did you encounter any technical issues? Vaccinated motorists line up to cross the border at the San Ysidro crossing port on the Mexico-US border in Tijuana, Baja California state, Mexico, on November 7, 2021. The index case was a port worker, who as a member of a high-risk group was tested every five days. Arguably, opening to China will bring in far more economic value, said Bernard Chan, convenor of the government advisory Executive Council. But long before the warning, some Americans and other Westerners with long-lasting professional ties with China had already grown wary of visiting both mainland China and Hong Kong. Chinese history has seen many cycles of opening and turning inward. News Corp is a global, diversified media and information services company focused on creating and distributing authoritative and engaging content and other products and services. The lowest estimate was 6.6 billion USD per year, with a disclaimer that it could well be double that figure. When borders reopen to tourists, countries that ran large surpluses on their tourism accounts pre-Covid -- Thailand and New Zealand among others -- stand to gain the most, writes Asia Chief economist Chang Shu. Its much more unsettling to think you could be thrown in jail as a hostage simply because you hold an American passport, the way Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor were thrown in jail as Canadian hostages, in retaliation for something my government did that the Chinese regime didnt like, wrote James Mann, a journalist and author on China. All rights reserved. appreciated. (Ambassadors may quarantine at home for 21 days, but only if their residence is a detached house and they are driven there with a police escort.). .css-16c7pto-SnippetSignInLink{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;cursor:pointer;}Sign In, Copyright 2023 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved, adidas Promo Code - $30 Off 1000s of Best-Sellers + Free Shipping, 60% off running shoes and apparel at Nike without a promo code, Save 15% on orders of $100+ with Kohl's coupon. More than a year and a half after COVID-19 concerns prompted the U.S. to close its borders to international travelers from countries including Brazil, China, India, South Africa, the U.K. and much . But in order to err on the side of caution, and to prevent the spread of the disease, we have to [impose restrictions]Everything we are doing is to protect Hong Kong from another major outbreak.. The Chinese government announced on May 31 it would allow married couples to have up to three children, instead of two. But quite a few have also had enough. Heavy flooding and record rains devastated parts of Henan province on Tuesday, leaving terrified subway passengers clinging to ceiling handles inside flooded cars, trapped up to their necks in rising water. As many as half a million foreign students at Chinese institutions are stuck outside the country: their visas were cancelled in March 2020. Rick Bowmer/AP The U.S. lifted restrictions Monday on travel from a long list of countries including Mexico, Canada and most of Europe, allowing tourists to make long-delayed trips and family members to reconnect with loved ones after more than a year and a half apart because of the pandemic. Hong Kongs new quarantine rules put the citys COVID-19 response more in line with mainland Chinas policies. It is true that China can afford to be in no . Vaccine politics bring further complications. Those with a head for heights should make an appointment with the horizontal skyscraper. Subscribe to Eastworld for insight on whats dominating business in Asia, delivered free to your inbox. Sue-Lin Wong: Correspondent, The Economist , This article appeared in the China section of the print edition of The World Ahead 2022 under the headline Closed, indefinitely, A global round-up from The Economist Intelligence Unit, As 2023 begins, the worlds most important climate system remains locked in La Nia, Published since September 1843 to take part in a severe contest between intelligence, which presses forward, and an unworthy, timid ignorance obstructing our progress.. And so far, Chinese authorities have shown little urgency in reopening. Shares of Evergrande have fallen 48% in Hong Kong since the start of this year. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much Authorities acted swiftly. Those foreign airlines allowed to operate limited flights into China are often running at 10% of pre-pandemic capacity. Visitors will be greeted by expanded digital surveillance, which played a central role in Chinas successful containment of the virus. At the time of writing, eight positive cases have been detected, including other port workers and their family members, none of whom have so much as run a fever. our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. But if it continues on its current path, theres no telling when China will feel confident enough to reopen the border, or what criteria Hong Kong needs to meet leaving the city at the whim of the central government, simply waiting to be allowed in. Hong Kongs tight border controls proved effective in keeping the virus at bay, and the city has registered 212 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic, compared with over 33,000 deaths in New York City and 15,000 deaths in London. Updated: 3:23pm, 21 Jun, 2021. . Measures imposed against outbreaks in places like the eastern Fujian province or southern Guangzhou city have contained the virus, even as Delta has stymied virus response systems in other countries with zero tolerance for infections, like Vietnam and Australia. Travelers walk through Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, China, on Saturday, May 1, 2021. Both land and air borders will reopen to fully vaccinated travelers. It is not clear how many people were trapped on the subway and rescue efforts remain ongoing across Zhengzhou, a city of 12.6 million on the banks of the Yellow River. However, the Omicron variant has proven challenging, and the government is still pursuing a zero Covid strategy. Students have postponed their studies, threatening the finances of universities across the globe; small international businesses have shut down; and the belt and road initiative, designed to broaden Chinas global impact, has been slowed. Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam at the Legislative Council on October 6. Things can change fast in China. More than 100,000 people have so far been evacuated from low lying areas of the city, with thousands of emergency personnel deployed to assist in the effort, according to state-run media. In June, Hong Kong began loosening pandemic travel restrictions that, over the past 18 months, have transformed it from Asias World City to one of the most closed-off places on the planet. Arrivals are screened once more at the airport. Hong Kong CNN It's been nearly. This makes it hard for the party to reopen borders. On Monday, Hong Kong declared the U.S., France, and 14 other countries as high-risk for COVID-19, meaning that Hong Kong travelers from a total of 25 countries would now have to stay in 21-day mandatory hotel quarantines regardless of vaccination status. Updated List of countries for which the borders with Estonia are partially or completely open: Now the the types of visas you can apply for include Z visa, M visa, Q visa, S visa, X visa, etc. for insight on whats dominating business in Asia, delivered free to your inbox. Before the pandemic, about 300,000 people were crossing the border every day now its a tiny figure, meaning significantly less business for the retail and hospitality sectors. Discovery Company. Headhunters are struggling to attract new talent to Hong Kong, with people looking instead to places with more relaxed rules. Chan . For air travelers, the airlines are required to verify vaccine records and match them against ID, and if they don't, they could face fines of up to nearly $35,000 per violation. Zhongs comments suggest that Chinas government may be warming to the idea of learning to live with COVID, marking another shift in stance. Editors Note: Coronavirus cases remain high across the globe. August 17, 2021, 10:54 AM UTC In June, Hong Kong began loosening pandemic travel restrictions that, over the past 18 months, have transformed it from "Asia's World City" to one of the most. For the newly qualified entrants, entry depends on having received two doses of Covid-19 vaccines at least 14 days prior to entry. Beijing, where top leaders live, is off limits. And if Hong Kong wants to reopen to the mainland, it may have to abide by a similar zero-tolerance approach to COVID-19. Chinese leaders have declared that zero tolerance of covid-19. Now more than ever, players rightly see themselves as multi-faceted entrepreneurs, and seek ways to leverage their brands in everything from real estate to venture capital. Did you encounter any technical issues? Would-be travelers must be careful as flights can be canceled at the last minute. Powered and implemented by Interactive Data Managed Solutions. At the news conference on Tuesday, Lam argued that many Hong Kong-based companies do business in the mainland, which made the border reopening critical to the economy. Its many dynasties have left their marks in world-famous heritage sites, such as the Great Wall, the Terracotta Warriors of Xian, and ancient towns such as Lijiang. Listen to this article:37. . Share Your Design Ideas, New JerseysMurphy Defends $10 Billion Rainy Day Fund as States Economy Slows, This Week in Crypto: Ukraine War, Marathon Digital, FTX. China has achieved this success due to the effectiveness of its test, trace and isolate measures. Any change to this message would take time and would also be embarrassing. River Robinson's American partner wasn't able to be in Canada for the birth of their baby boy 17 months ago because of pandemic-related border closures. This means that all Hong Kong residentsexcept for those coming from mainland China, Macau, Taiwan, or New Zealandwill have to spend at least 14 days in quarantine upon arrival regardless of vaccination status. These travelers will be permitted to visit specific sites as part of group tours, not on individual itineraries. These include the Winter Olympics that Beijing will host next February and a Communist Party congress in late 2022, at which Xi Jinping is set to seek a fresh term as supreme leader. Equally, China may want to buy time for a locally made mRNA vaccine that is known to be in development. Amazon Is Closing Its Cashierless Stores in NYC, San Francisco and Seattle, Amazon Pauses Construction on Second Headquarters in Virginia as It Cuts Jobs, Stock Traders Are Ignoring Blaring Bond Alarms, iPhone Maker Plans $700 Million India Plant in Shift From China, Russia Is Getting Around Sanctions to Secure Supply of Key Chips for War. Today (Saturday, 5 June 2021) the borders of China are fully open for 0/ 32 countries, partially open for 51/ 32 countries. Ben Cowling, an epidemiologist at Hong Kong University, says he suspects that Hong Kong citizens and residents may be split between a COVID-zero approach and opening up only with the mainland and a living with COVID approach and aiming toward quarantine-free travel with the rest of the world. China may reopen Hong Kong border in early December Number of visitors would initially be limited to a few hundred per day, Hong Kong newspaper reports. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. Canada will finally open its borders, first to Americans, beginning August 9 By Paula Newton, CNN Updated 5:28 PM EDT, Mon July 19, 2021 . Nationalism and impatience with foreign criticism were on the rise before covid-19. Chinese leaders have declared that zero tolerance of covid-19 is a mark of good government. Footage broadcast by state news agency Xinhua and shared widely online shows passengers in Zhengzhou trapped inside a flooded subway car, packed tightly together as the water climbs higher. 2023 Cable News Network. Beijing is planning to keep its pandemic border restrictions in place for at least another year as officials fret over the emergence of new variants and a calendar of sensitive events, according to people familiar with the matter, despite a coronavirus vaccination campaign that has topped one billion doses. The Spaniard had apparently tested positive for antibodies, either as a result of having been vaccinated or after recovering from a bout of covid-19. The economic costs of Chinas COVID-19 policies continue to mount with each new outbreak. Non-Chinese vaccines might speed up the answer . Moodys and Fitch also both downgraded Evergrandes credit rating in June, citing its worsening financial conditions. And it isn't just about borders Analysis by Nectar Gan, CNN Updated 8:02 PM EST, Mon November 15, 2021 Link Copied! including those from China or Russia, will not be . Chan refuted that estimate, but didnt provide much hope for an earlier opening either. Video. CNNs Julia Buckley and Lilit Marcus contributed to this report. Health officials caution that travel increases your chances of getting and spreading the virus. Its bad enough to have to worry youll be jailed in retaliation for whatever critical comments you made even years ago. But in May, EU regulators trying to inspect a vaccine production site near Beijing were stymied by Chinese officials who insisted that those busy scientists would have to spend three weeks in quarantine. Though not a scientific survey, the results nevertheless suggest a significant shift in attitudes among a group of prominent figures in the China field, most of whom would almost certainly have planned to travel to the country a year or two ago as part of their professional routines, it said. China is facing a dilemma: how to reopen its borders to foreign visitors - as some other nations are considering doing - while stepping up its. On Tuesday, the city reversed course on a scheme that allowed residents to spend only seven days in quarantine if they could prove they were fully vaccinated and conducted a test to show that the vaccine provided enough antibodies to fight off infection. For the most part, citizens and residents could enter the city after serving 14- to 21-day quarantines. Facial recognition cameras, already common in public places, have also proliferated in residential areas. List of countries for which the borders with Estonia are partially or completely open: Chinas COVID-zero playbook for battling the virus has proved successful against the Delta variant of COVID-19. https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-to-keep-covid-19-border-restrictions-for-another-year-11624361777. I was vaccinated at the first opportunity, and in the last few weeks the campaign has turned up a notch. Athletes' ambitions don't end when they leave the field of play. A Warner Bros. International tourism, both inbound and outbound, has ground to a halt. At least 12 people have been confirmed dead in Zhengzhou, the provincial capital, where more than 20 centimeters (7.8 inches) of rain fell in one hour on Tuesday, according to the meteorological observatory. Given all these factors, it is not obvious how China will start to re-open, especially before some big events have safely passed. Official media published a story by a former health minister (whose background is in finance) expressing astonishment at the idea of easing controls. Hong Kong has banned all noncitizens and nonresidents since the spring of 2020. Hordes of Chinese tourists are now only found in China. A Warner Bros. The companys problems are many. If youre planning a trip to China, heres what youll need to know and expect if you want to visit during the global coronavirus pandemic. At that time, Chinas top respiratory expert, Zhong Nanshan, revealed that the number inoculated was 3.56%, a proportion set to rise to 40% by the end of June. Meanwhile, nationalistic sentiment, which was already rising in China prior to the pandemic, has reached new heights. The Communist Party has made the goal of eliminating covid-19 infections a top priority. S&P Index data is the property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its licensors. However, Chinas current border policy is having a cumulative long-term effect across the global economy. Nicholas Thomas, a professor of health governance at the City University of Hong Kong, says that such strict measures may be necessary to protect Hong Kong citizens from a new outbreak, especially owing to the fact that much of the city remains vulnerable to infection. But its also thoroughly modern, with mushrooming cities and skyscrapers pricking the clouds. Their priorities are different from those who are locally based., The broader general public is so used to zero cases, theyre happy, he added. On the boundary with Canada, cross-border hockey rivalries were community traditions until being upended by the pandemic. Here, Zhuang Pinghui and Simone McCarthy look into what it . China wants 80% of its population vaccinated by the end of 2021. More than a year and a half after COVID-19 concerns prompted the U.S. to close its borders to international travelers from countries including Brazil, China, India, South Africa, the U.K. and much of Europe, restrictions are shifting to focus on vaccine status. The party has several important events it does not want disrupted by covid-19 outbreaks. Passengers walk through Salt Lake City International Airport, Oct. 27, 2020. May 14, 2021, 2:57 AM UTC. Hong Kongs decision to follow suit means the diverse metropolis, once known for attracting international business and globetrotting expats, is instead retreating further into isolation. appreciated. China has maintained a strict zero-Covid approach, even as many other countries transition to living with the coronavirus. This opacity is a problem. List of countries for which the borders with Estonia are partially or completely open: articles a month for anyone to read, even non-subscribers! Yet the government has stood firm repeatedly emphasizing that its priority is reopening its border with mainland China, not with the rest of the world. 0. The deep freeze on international tourism due to Covid restrictions has been tough on most Asian economies, but for China, borders closed to tourists is a net positive, according to Bloomberg Economics research. As this border stretches more than 2000 kilometers, this But Zhong acknowledged that Chinas strict COVID rules impose a burden on the government and that the costs of maintaining the measures may eventually outweigh the health benefits. Some provinces require additional quarantine upon arrival. China has reported 2.7 million cases and 15,133 deaths as of September 21, 2022. Border reopening could bring back tourism deficits for them, dragging on GDP growth, according to Shu. Local officials have been fired over a few cases in their districts. There are a few reasons why Hong Kong has made this decision, said Nicholas Thomas, an associate professor at the Department of Asian and International Studies at the City University of Hong Kong. The American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong told CNN in September that an unprecedented number of expatriates have either left or are planning to leave. September 26 - China to reopen border regions to foreign visitors The Chinese government issued draft regulations on Monday, September 19, aiming for increasing tourism along its borders and making it simpler for some foreigners to enter China. Chinese companies are developing new vaccines based on mRNA technology, but no evidence has yet been released about their efficacy. As a result, opening up could pose challenges to hospitals, especially in rural areas. How Will China Open Its Border for International Students in 2022: 5 Possible Ways Date: January 7, 2022 Summary: China has closed its border for international students and almost all foreigners since March 28, 2020 due to the pandemic. [But] when the death rate becomes very low, having COVID-19 could be part of the norm.. On Aug. 12, a fully vaccinated, 38-year-old female tested positive for the Delta variant of COVID-19 on her 12th day back in Hong Kong after a trip to the U.S. and a seven-day stay in a Hong Kong quarantine hotel. China won't open up after lockdown anytime soon 26 September 2021 Author: Nicholas Thomas, CityU What is normal in a post-pandemic world? This was followed by the citys Tuesday announcement that the vast majority of vaccinated residents returning to the city from the rest of the world should serve 14-day hotel quarantines before entering the city. These travelers are still required to take two PCR tests 24-48 hours before going to China (depending on their departure airport) and a pre-flight antigen test. Staying home is the best way to stem transmission. Hong Kong doesnt have any real power to decide upon, he added. The vaccination campaign . Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much Passengers walk through Salt Lake City International Airport, Oct. 27, 2020. Though about 63% of the population has been fully vaccinated, many received the Chinese Sinovac vaccine, which has had its efficacy against the highly infectious Delta variant questioned. Theres no plan of a specific date or anything at all.. If they change their mind, that will be a sign that the party is finally ready to abandon its zero-covid policy. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. Will His AI Plans Be Any Different? It has had only a few new cases in recent months. After being closed for three years, China will reopen its borders on January 8, 2023, and will eliminate the mandatory quarantine requirement for entry into the country, according to reports from the South China Morning Post. In the article, many respondents cited the ongoing detainment of Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor as a primary source of their anxiety. Of course, international travel is important, international business is important to us but by comparison, the mainland is more important.. All rights reserved. GDP in the first quarter of this year grew 18.3%; in the EU, it fell 0.6%. 2021. vaccination programme. Still, one case was particularly concerning to authorities. The government plans to achieve two negative tests from each person in the entire population of about 240,000 from the local Yantian region, before declaring the crisis over. Subscribe to Fortune Dailyto get essential business stories straight to your inbox each morning. Mutual distrust will be hard to overcome until China re-opens. Strict quarantine requirements may therefore persist for much, if not all, of 2022. The Delta variants rampage through other countries has confirmed leaders belief that moving towards a covid tolerant society would be disastrous. At present, more than 15 million people have been vaccinated in China. Many Chinese are proud rightfully of Chinas ability to swiftly tame the outbreak, despite its initial mishandling. The southern province of Guangdong, hit by a recent virus outbreak, is building a quarantine clinic for international arrivals with 5,000 beds. 2:39 AM EDT, Wed July 21, 2021. If the pandemic continues for a long time, even the strictest prevention and control methods will not work forever, Zhong said. This Supreme Court Case Could Redefine Crime, YellowstoneBackers Wanted to Cash OutThen the Streaming Bubble Burst, How Countries Leading on Early Years of Child Care Get It Right, Female Execs Are Exhausted, Frustrated and Heading for the Exits, More Iranian Schoolgirls Sickened in Suspected Poisoning Wave, No Major Offer Expected on Childcare in UK Budget, Oil Investors Get $128 Billion Handout as Doubts Grow About Fossil Fuels, Climate Change Is Launching a MutantSeed Space Race, This Former Factory Is Now New Taipeis Edgiest Project, What Do You Want to See in a Covid Memorial? They must apply for a visa in advance, and show their proof of vaccination on arrival, as well as the negative tests. For a lot of people, this is starting to go on two years missing grandparents, births, deaths, birthdays, anniversaries, etc, one senior banker in Hong Kong told Reuters. A Warner Bros. Many attractions require guests to register one day in advance and to take a Covid test before being permitted to enter. S&P Index data is the property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its licensors. In June Spains consulate-general in Shanghai protested after a newly arrived Spanish citizen was made to sign documents that she could not read and undergo days of tests and MRI scans in a clinic. And it means clinging onto the zero-Covid strategy, which is looking increasingly untenable in a world where Covid has become basically endemic, Thomas said.