A new trend I have observed is entire compounds being locked down until ALL residents get a PCR test (inside the compound). We're usually only talking about ~3 hours here, so it's not really a big deal, but I'm mentioning it in response to your "Peer Pressure" article because snitching appears (in my eyes, at least) to be a factor that the rule-makers are actively exploiting. Basically, "Jimmie in 317 didn't do his test yet. Let's track him down and bring him there, so the rest of us can leave." One of my friends was 2 hours late to work today because of this. Her boss couldn't really chastise her because he understands that we're living in a constant state of flux.

travelinmanS Since I know in person attendance is pretty important in your company, you should mentally prepare yourself for last-minute stuff like this upon your return. Whether it's you or one of your colleagues, it can honestly happen in an instant (e.g. while you are taking your morning shower).

I was in China late 2021 and attended a major interntational industry fair (similar to Caton Fair) but not related to import/export. Xi and Li made keynote speeches via video.

There was no special visa granted to any of the foreign vvisitors.
2023 is still months away and my experience in late 2021 was during the period when Covid was largely under control in China, so it is not an apple-to-apple comparison.

It is not just focusing on the visa situation, airlines also need to provide more flight options, and other considerations such as as pre-travel requiremetns of testings and green code etc. all have to be part of the solution.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...accine-mandate

Better late than never I suppose.

That mandate has been rescinded due to public pressure. No easy way to enforce it at the moment.

The only people I know of who aren't vaxxed here are senior citizens who are STRONGLY opposed. In this society, officials are usually loath to mess with seniors (e.g. far greater transgression than clubbing pets to death).

The problem of enforcement is that if you've been vaxxed outside Beijing, it won't show up on your Beijing Health Kit. Not to mention anyone who got vaccinated abroad (they said they would consider those valid as well) who is currently not able to get that on the Health Kit either.

These technical issues are addressable if they care.

I’m sure the government that locked you and me down in Shanghai, without preparing proper food access at the lockdown’s beginning, doesn’t care very much about this issue.

From today's Shanghai Covid report, we have the very first case of a traveller who legally entered HK and then flew to China.

病例1为比利时籍，在香港旅行，自香港出发，于2022年7月9日抵达上海浦东国际机场，入关后即被集中隔离观察 ，其间出现症状。综合流行病学史、临床症状、实验室检测和影像学检查结果等，诊断为确诊病例。

Case 1 is of Belgian nationality, was travelling in Hong Kong. They flew from HK, and arrived at PVG on 9/July/2022.

HK opened up to non-residents on 1 May, and it took more than two months to record the first positive case of a non-resident who made it to China.

I don't think "first positive case" in a good wording in such context :D

Hope all provinces drop it down to 7 days of hotel quarantine for entering the country. Two years ago I went through 14 days of misery in what is arguably the worst hotel in Zhengzhou (because Air China cancelled the direct route to PEK and sent us to Zhengzhou instead), and I had to PAY about $500 for the privilege of staying there (couldn't pick the hotel I was sent to), and the quarantine room rate was much higher than the normal room rate I checked on trip.com. There was a roach infestation in the bathroom (other rooms reported roaches too), everything in the room was dirty (nasty carpeted floors), no amenities, AC didn't work, wifi was terrible, no "view" to speak of at all, and the air pollution was punishing (though not the fault of the hotel)... at least the 3 meals a day weren't bad. My colleagues who managed to fly directly into Beijing got put into hotel rooms that were at least clean and didn't have a pest problem. One of them even got a a nice big suite. I also saw my friend who entered Singapore and quarantined for 14 nights at the f**king Shangri La Sentosa Resort and only paid about $2000 for a nice ... room, 3 meals a day, and had a beachfront view with a balcony that she was allowed to use.I had wondered why the local government would commandeer a hotel in such poor condition for their centralized hotel quarantine program...maybe the owner had some friends in the Party, or maybe Zhengzhou just sucks.

After 14 nights being pissed off and living in less than desirable hotel conditions, I "checked out" of the hotel in the morning of my 15th day and told them the hotel is not sanitary due to the roach infestation. Actually, we were allowed to leave at midnight after the 14th night, and I saw in the quarantine group chat that some guests were leaving immediately to the JW Marriott Zhengzhou because they hated their time in quarantine so much and couldn't stand one more sleep in the hotel. Yet the JW staff gave them a hassle even though they got the quarantine completion certificates and negative PRC test. In the case for the rest of us who didn't immediately jump ship, Air China had a bus for us leaving to the Zhengzhou airport at 7 AM...where we would wait around for a 5 PM flight to Beijing... no thank you. I left for BJ via HSR in the early morning, and enjoyed an excellent and affordable business class train journey. Then I chose to spend 7 nights at the St Regis BJ for "health monitoring" (not quarantined, it was an additional requirement for me in my situ.) and to regain sanity that was stolen away from me by the 郑州大酒店 (Zhengzhou Grand Hotel). Good riddance.

Any update in terms of all the measures current impose by Chinese embassy and consultes prior taking flights to China will be relaxed soon or if it has been relaxed (or reduced)?

-you knew there was no way in hell for you to go to Beijing
-this doesn't matter because your Beijing hotel would have been just as bad

The measures were relaxed a bit at the beginning of July. Just 2 PCR tests need to be taken, one 48 hours and one 24 hours before your flight. Still difficult to get visas and there is still a quarantine. It’s not worth it to go to China unless you have some real pressing need.

It's actually possible to get a Q visa now without needing a provincial invitation letter or an exceptional circumstance. Single entry, valid ~3 months from the date of issuance. 2 PCR tests required prior to your flight. Transfers now allowed. Your actual mileage may vary.