China decided to suspend all flights from India

China on Thursday decided to temporarily suspend the entry of foreign nationals living in India into China. This order will apply to all foreign nationals in India holding valid Chinese visas or residence permits.

In addition, China has also suspended all flights from India citing the coronavirus pandemic.

“The Chinese Embassy/Consulates in India will not stamp the Health Declaration Forms for the holders of the above-mentioned categories of visa or residence permits,” China’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Thursday.

The statement went on to add, “Foreigners holding Chinese diplomatic, service, courtesy and C visas are not affected. Foreigners with emergency or humanitarian needs to visit China, can submit visa application to the Chinese Embassy/ Consulates in India. The entry into China with visas issued after November 3rd, 2020 is not affected.”

Chinese Foreign Ministry went further to state that this suspension is a temporary measure to deal with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. “China will make further adjustments and announcements in accordance with the ongoing pandemic situation in a timely manner,” the statement said.

Sources told India Today that the announcement made by the Chinese Embassy indicates that the measure is a temporary action and that changes can be expected in a timely manner. “Action taken is to temporarily suspend existing visas only. As the notice indicates, future visa applications have not been banned. Visas issued after November 3 are valid for travel to China,” Sources said.