South Korea and Japan became the first victims of China's retaliatory sanctions due to strict Covid-19 regulations imposed on tourists from the country.
In an unexpected move, the Chinese embassy in Seoul announced the suspension of the issuance of short-term visas for South Korean visitors starting today (Tuesday).
Kyodo News later also reported that Beijing imposed similar measures against Japan, where travel agencies were urged to stop issuing new visas in Tokyo.
The restrictions are applied including business trips, tourism, medicine, transit and general personal matters.
According to the Chinese embassy in Seoul, the measures will be imposed until the discriminatory entry restrictions against Beijing are lifted.
South Korea and Japan are among the countries that set rules and conditions for Covid testing for visitors from the mainland.
China has dismissed criticism of its data as a politically motivated attempt to discredit its "success" in dealing with the outbreak and claims any future mutations may be more contagious but less dangerous.
