This week, an alarming story emerged of a foreigner living in mainland China who decided to leave just as the country was about to reopen after years of coronavirus isolation. Their concerns must be listened to and understood if we are to better open the doors to the international connections that have helped this country prosper for so long. The newspaper spoke to a number of current and former expats, including some who have endured three years of harsh pandemic measures and ultimately decided to leave permanently.
This was partly weighed down by concerns about a repeat of the lockdown experience. Some felt that there was a growing sense of wariness and even hostility towards foreigners.
This attitude comes against the backdrop of rising tensions between China and the West, as well as an increasing focus by states on national security and countering the perceived threat of foreign powers. It seems to be appearing. Previously, there was an exodus of foreigners dissatisfied with years of harsh restrictions and lockdowns during the pandemic. Shanghai, which has a large foreign population, was particularly hard hit.
Foreigners who stayed in China during the coronavirus lockdown are now leaving the country. why?
Foreigners who stayed in China during the coronavirus lockdown are now leaving the country. why?
The recent departures come at a critical time as the country seeks to attract individuals and businesses from abroad to boost its economic recovery. To strengthen international people-to-people exchanges, visa applications will be simplified for visitors from the United States, and travelers with passports from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia will now be able to enter the country without a visa. became. Maximum 15 days.
Additionally, there is a move to upgrade digital mobile payment options to simplify the use of international credit cards by arriving people.
New guidelines have also been introduced to entice foreign investors with promises of intellectual property protection and temporary tax exemptions if they reinvest their profits back into the country.
While these moves should be welcomed, authorities would be wise to heed the advice of businessmen who called for parallel efforts to address the “bigger problems” that have led some to pack up. Dew.