BEIJING, July 22 (INP): A spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry Wang Wenbin said that China will gradually resume people-to-people contacts, as epidemic’s situation is getting better in some countries.  

He told reports at a regular news briefing that nucleic acid testing is the primary approach to test COVID-19 widely recognized by all countries. As the epidemic situation in some countries is put under control or getting better, countries are gradually resuming people-to-people exchange and international flights.

He added, “To ensure safety in international travels and reduce the risk of cross-border transmission, and based on other countries' practices, passengers on China-bound flights from certain countries are required to provide negative nucleic acid test results and this measure will then be expanded to cover more countries.

This measure is conducive to cross-border flows of people, the resumption of work and production in all countries, and the restoration of order in people-to-people exchange.”

About China plan to implement this measure, Wang Wenbin said, Chinese and foreign passengers taking flights to China should complete their nucleic acid tests within five days prior to their boarding date. The airlines will check passengers' testing results when they board the plane.

The Chinese embassies overseas will carefully evaluate the host countries' nucleic acid testing capabilities and other related conditions, and confirm the time of implementation based on full consultation and agreement reached with the host countries. The specific arrangements on implementation will be released by our embassies, he added.

Replying to a question, the spokesperson reiterated that his country opposes the UK's interference in Hong Kong affairs and China's other internal affairs, which is in breach of international law and basic norms governing international relations.

“Article 38 of the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region stipulates the principle of protective jurisdiction, which is necessary for effectively cracking down on crimes that endanger national security and safeguarding China's national security and the security of the HKSAR. 

This is also a common practice of many countries, including the US. It has fundamental difference from the US long-arm jurisdiction which oppresses foreign entities and individuals without cause, he added.