Covid-19 restrictions and requirements being placed by some countries on travellers from China are “discriminatory” and “unfounded”, Chinese state media has said.
The claims, quoting unnamed experts, in a report in the Global Times newspaper came after the US Japan, Taiwan, India and Malaysia imposed restrictions on travellers from China.
This follows a huge surge in Covid-19 cases in China, after Beijing rolled back stringent zero-covid restrictions that had in place for almost three years.
Flight restrictions will be eased in January.
The US and Japan view this reopening as “another chance to defame Beijing”, said Global Times.
“The real intention [behind the measures] is to sabotage China's three years of Covid-19 control efforts and attack the country's system.”
As part of easing restrictions, quarantine requirements for all international arrivals and rules limiting numbers of incoming flights and passengers will be lifted on January 8.
Many Chinese, most of whom have not left the country for several years, are anticipating the opportunity to travel abroad again.
“Most countries around the world have welcomed China's move to open up to travellers from all over the globe and encouraged Chinese to travel abroad after the country's Covid-19 battle entered a new stage,” Global Times said.
However, the UK is the latest country to consider imposing restrictions.
The US has also said that Chinese statistics on Covid infections are not transparent. China rejects this claim.
“Since the outbreak of the epidemic, China has been sharing relevant information and data with the international community, including the World Health Organisation, in an open and transparent manner,” Chinese Foreign Affairs spokesman Wang Wenbin told reporters on Friday.
WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has urged Chinese authorities to make their Covid data more accessible, adding that the additional measures by other countries were “understandable”
Last week, local media reported that Chinese hospitals were overflowing with Covid-19 patients and crematoriums were unable to keep up with the number of bodies.
Match info
Uefa Champions League Group F
Manchester City v Hoffenheim, midnight (Wednesday, UAE)
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BOSH!'s pantry essentials
Nutritional yeast
This is Firth's pick and an ingredient he says, "gives you an instant cheesy flavour". He advises making your own cream cheese with it or simply using it to whip up a mac and cheese or wholesome lasagne. It's available in organic and specialist grocery stores across the UAE.
Seeds
"We've got a big jar of mixed seeds in our kitchen," Theasby explains. "That's what you use to make a bolognese or pie or salad: just grab a handful of seeds and sprinkle them over the top. It's a really good way to make sure you're getting your omegas."
Umami flavours
"I could say soya sauce, but I'll say all umami-makers and have them in the same batch," says Firth. He suggests having items such as Marmite, balsamic vinegar and other general, dark, umami-tasting products in your cupboard "to make your bolognese a little bit more 'umptious'".
Onions and garlic
"If you've got them, you can cook basically anything from that base," says Theasby. "These ingredients are so prevalent in every world cuisine and if you've got them in your cupboard, then you know you've got the foundation of a really nice meal."
Your grain of choice
Whether rice, quinoa, pasta or buckwheat, Firth advises always having a stock of your favourite grains in the cupboard. "That you, you have an instant meal and all you have to do is just chuck a bit of veg in."
Company%20Profile
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Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
