China announces they will not be budging on strict COVID-19 restrictions

China is unlikely to ease pandemic-related border controls in the near future, despite calls from an international community who have shut out by strict zero-Covid rules for nearly two years.

The National Immigration Administration re-iterated this on Thursday, as a spokesman called on people to reduce cross-border activities this year if the trip was “not urgent, not necessary”.

“The pandemic has not been brought under control in foreign countries. It remains a challenging job for China to prevent imported cases,” spokesman Chen Jie told a press conference in Beijing.

“We should cherish China’s hard-won success [in controlling Covid-19] and reduce cross-border flows,” Chen said in response to a query on whether entry-exit controls would be loosened this year.

The rigid border policy along with strict quarantine measures, was first put in place in March 2020, when China closed its borders to nearly all travellers as the coronavirus pandemic started spreading throughout Europe.

The rules have remained largely in place since then, helping authorities to contain the disease at home even as cases soared worldwide. These measures have also severely hindered international communication. China limits outbound travel to protect itself against Covid-19 variants

Cross-border travel by foreigners plunged by 66% last year, according to official Chinese data. Chen said China had facilitated travel last year for personnel involved in certain business, trade and technology activities, especially Chinese nationals taking part in the global pandemic prevention work. Similar special arrangements will continue this year, he said. “We’ll not adopt a one-size-fits-all approach. We’ll be flexible.”

It was widely expected that China would not ease Covid-19 controls ahead of three crucial events this year. The 2022 Beijing Winter Games opens next week, with the annual “two sessions” and the national conferences of China’s top legislative and political advisory bodies are due in March.

In autumn the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party will take place, where President Xi Jinping is expected to celebrate China’s effective pandemic control under his watch.

“Safeguarding national security is always our top priority,” Chen said. “We will continue to work hard and pave the way for a successful 20th party congress.”