China is opening its door to foreign students for the first time in more than two years, easing restrictions on their entry imposed after the outbreak of COVID-19.
Foreign nationals holding a valid Chinese residence permit for study or an APEC business travel card will be allowed to enter China starting Wednesday, the nation’s embassy in the U.S. said in a statement posted on WeChat late Tuesday. Similar statements were made by China’s embassies in Japan and India.
While the country has been allowing some students to enter on an ad-hoc basis for some time, the move shows Beijing is attempting to normalize aspects of the economy — while holding fast to its "COVID zero" approach. Anyone entering China still faces one of the most intensive pandemic border regimes left globally, with mandatory traveler quarantines still in place.