Since Chinese-made vaccines are not available in India, the announcement will provide some relief for at least 23,000 Indians studying there, most of them in medical colleges.
Several foreign missions to China, including their embassy in New Delhi, have announced that they will begin “facilitating” passengers, provided they have carried “Chinese-made COVID-19 vaccines”.
Indians have been barred from traveling to China since November last year, when China suspended valid visas and residents, not only for travelers to India but most countries citing COVID-19 concerns. The ban has been of particular concern to many Indian students enrolled in Chinese universities, who have been unable to return to China. There are at least 23,000 Indians studying in China, most of which are medical colleges.
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The March 15 announcement will bring some relief for them as there are no Chinese manufactured vaccines available in India. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Monday that China is “ready to pursue mutual recognition of vaccines with other countries”, but the process is expected to take time.
For now, the limited relaxation of the travel ban will only apply to travelers who have received Chinese vaccines. A notice from the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi stated, “With the aim of resuming people-to-people in a systematic manner starting from March 15, 2021, the Chinese embassies and consulates in India provide sugar-man Will do. Holding the certificate of vaccination with the COVID-19 vaccine and the following feature-rich measures, “China’s employment contracts, resume work and other relevant activities” and for family members of Chinese citizens, provided that they take Chinese vaccines Have had The announcement did not say whether it would apply to students.
Asked by a reporter in January whether the Chinese government would take a “sympathetic view” of the plight of some of the more than 23,000 enrolled Indian students who bear considerable financial burden to pursue a medical degree in China. Foreign Ministry spokesman Hua Chunying said, “I can relate to your feelings, including the confusion and plight of many of the Indian students you mentioned.” I believe that there are similar situations all over the world. To my knowledge, there are many Chinese students who have invested heavily in studying abroad, but due to the sudden outbreak of COVID-19, they are unable to pursue their education according to plan, and many of them are offered online courses. Have to stay at home. Such a situation is not what we want to see. “
Ms Hua said the authorities needed “relevant departments and educational institutions to maintain close contact with foreign students, properly arrange online learning, and to duly manage appropriate demands and concerns.”
Indian students, who account for the fourth largest segment of international students in China, have faced particular hurdles, South China Morning Post Last month’s report, along with several Chinese apps used for restricted online learning last year, when India banned more than 200 Chinese apps in the wake of the June border collision in the Galway Valley.
After WeChat was banned and students complained to their colleges, a university, the newspaper reported, began using Alibaba-owned Dingtalk and Tencent meetings for online classes. Eventually, those apps were also banned.
A major concern for students, who must pass a challenging exam in India after being able to practice, is their inability to receive laboratory training as they are unable to return.
On March 5, along with China’s Deputy Foreign Minister Luo Zhaohui, India’s envoy in Beijing, Vikram Mishri “flagged outstanding consular issues related to Indian citizens” and “requested the Indian Foreign Ministry to facilitate achieving this resolution.” , “Indian Embassy. Said in a statement in Beijing.
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