UPDATE - Fuming Beijing warns of countermeasures against virus restrictions on China travelers

UPDATES WITH FURTHER COMMENTS; CHANGES HEADER, DECK; EDITS THROUGHOUT

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) – Slamming various COVID-19 measures taken by several nations against travelers from the world’s largest populated country, China on Tuesday warned of “countermeasures” against such steps.

“We firmly reject using COVID measures for political purposes and will take corresponding measures in response to varying situations via the principle of reciprocity,” Chinese Foreign Ministry’s spokeswoman Mao Ning told a news conference in Beijing.

Beijing’s response came after Japan, the US, Italy, Malaysia, Spain, Morocco, Qatar, Canada, South Korea, and Taiwan announced requiring negative COVID-19 tests from travelers coming from China.

On the temporary restrictions, Mao said: “We stand ready to step up communication with the rest of the international community and work together to prevail over COVID-19,” according to a transcript of her news briefing shared by the ministry.

But, she added: “We do not believe the entry restriction measures some countries have taken against China are science-based. Some of these measures are disproportionate and simply unacceptable.”

The steps are in contrast to Beijing’s decision to scrap mandatory quarantine for all visitors starting Jan. 8.

China is facing an explosive spike in infections after dumping its strict “zero-COVID" policy last month, following unrest and unprecedented protests in parts of the country.