Hello members, in order to keep the discussion in this China forum, focused on its thread of the Current China Entry Policy forum, let's curtail the extended discussion of hotels and other details of a stay in South Korea.
Thanks, Ocn Vw 1K, Senior Moderator.

We're currently in a bit of a pickle because coming to or departing from China is not easy. Please advise me if you want me to expunge my thread in the "Other" forum.

Why don�t you take the UA or DL direct flights? It�s much easier and you won�t need to get off the plane in ICN. Shouldn�t be too much money nowadays either.

I haven't been keeping up-to-date with China entry requirements, so was wondering what is currently considered the most effective way to enter China from the US?
Really need to get back to China sometime this year. Had a RP that expired May 2020, but still have a valid WP.
I see an announcement made a month ago, that mentions recipients of a Chinese vaccination to be granted entry, but that vaccination isn't easily obtained in the USA it appears.

existing line has been extended to T2
not too useful at the moment since those subject to quarantine are not permitted to take the train
suspensions are based on country and done for reciprocity reasons; Americans were never barred and the only recent (sometime this past winter) change was the addition of a pre-departure COVID-19 testing requirement
see moondog's suggestion:
as for the vaccination thing, someone either here or in the Hong Kong forum suggested using your US vaccination as a basis to get somewhere Sinovac is offered
there is no such place right now, of course, but possibly forthcoming

Given recent news they might be willing to accept foreign vaccines in the near term which would make this strategy not relevant. Recent notice posted here, can't find an English version so here's an autotranslated version: https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/ce/ceus/chn...z/t1869583.htm. A lot of Chinese people overseas are getting non-Chinese vaccines.


Explanation on the testing requirements for people who take the flight to China after receiving the new coronavirus vaccine
2021/04/16　　At present, the Embassy in the United States is still responsible for reviewing the "dual testing" certificates of passengers travelling to China on Dallas flights. I would like to remind everyone to carefully consider the risk of infection during the epidemic, and be sure to keep in mind "If it's not necessary and not urgent, don't travel." At the same time, further specifications and explanations will be made on the relevant requirements for the detection of passengers who have an emergency travel need and who have tested positive for IgM antibodies due to the new coronavirus vaccine:

　　1. If the nucleic acid test is negative and the IgM antibody test is positive after inoculation with the inactivated vaccine, you can apply for a health code normally. Please click the attachment to download the "Vaccination Statement", fill it out and sign it by hand, and upload it together with the "dual testing" certificate and the vaccination certificate through the "health code" applet or web page for review.

　　2. Personnel vaccinated with non-inactivated vaccines.

　　(1) The existing Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccines in the United States are all non-inactivated vaccines. According to requirements, two doses of Pfizer and Modena vaccines are required, and one dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccines. If those who intend to go to China choose to be vaccinated, they must arrange their trip to China after completing the prescribed number of vaccinations.

　　(2) At present, the IgM antibody test in the "double test" is mainly the IgM antibody test against the S protein. After the non-inactivated vaccine is inoculated, the IgM antibody test against the S protein may have a positive result. In order to distinguish whether the positive is due to vaccination or infection, passengers who have completed the non-inactivated vaccination and travel to China from Dallas, if the test result of IgM antibody against S protein is positive, when applying for a health code, in addition to submitting a ticket or itinerary, In addition to the "dual test" report, the IgM antibody test report against N protein, the "Vaccination Statement", and vaccination voucher should also be uploaded. The relevant vouchers should be true and include necessary information as much as possible to help determine personal identity, determine the type of vaccine and the situation of vaccination.

　　(3) For the latest list of nucleic acid and antibody testing laboratories accepted by the embassy in the United States, please see the attachment. If necessary, passengers can choose the laboratory that provides IgM antibody testing against N protein in the list for testing. Please note that this test must also be sampled at the departure place within 48 hours before boarding. In addition, please inform the sampling agency and testing laboratory to agree to announce the test results and other personal information to the embassy during the test. The embassy will verify the "dual test", the results of the IgM antibody test against the N protein, and the vaccination certificate with the issuing agency. If the vaccination situation cannot be determined to be true, the declaration is not true, or the vaccination certificate or test report is falsified, the health code will not be issued, and all the responsibilities arising therefrom shall be borne by the parties themselves.

The consulate in LA also adds the following sentence at the bottom: https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/ce/cgla/chn/gdxw/t1869604.htm

This arrangement is an arrangement for the testing of vaccinated people applying for a health code, and does not involve adjustments to the current entry policy to China, isolation and observation and other anti-epidemic policies.　　

Any chance fully vaccinated Americans (non-Chinese vaccine) will be allowed in on "reinstated" 10 year visas by October? Without quarantine?

About as high of a possibility as Xi Jinping personally greeting you upon arrival.

If you held a valid RP when China's borders closed in March 2020, which then expired, you are eligible to apply for a visa to re-enter China and obtain a new RP:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The People's Republic of China National Immigration Administration Announcement on Entry by Foreign Nationals Holding Valid Chinese Residence Permits of Three Categories

It's nothing to do with Americans. Everybody needs to have an actual visa to travel to South Korea. You cannot enter on the old exemption policy unless you are a crew member.

I take that back. Upon further review, USA is one of the few (only?) countries that can still enter Korea through the visa exemption process, as it's not on the list of 90 countries where this policy has been suspended:

http://viewer.moj.go.kr/skin/doc.htm...86503947805100

https://www.bloomberg.com/toaster/v2...46000b3ed.html

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...a-and-the-west

Technically, yes. Unfortunately, since my WP is also expiring soon, I have to renew the work permit first, and since my RP is expiring, it means the work permit has be re-applied for from scratch, incl. medical examination, background check, etc. etc., all requiring authentication by the embassy....
Oh, what fun,

Well, at least it is the same fun as a Chinese citizen trying to return home from U.S.

As far as I understand authentication does not expire, but the underlying document may. So if a diploma is authenticated the document is good forever. But background check is only good for 6 months and of course health check won�t be valid (can�t remember if that was 90 days or 6 month or 1 year validity pre covid) ...

Im currently living in China with a residence permit and planning to take a 6 week trip back to the US in august. Is there any indication that a vaccine in China or a vaccine in the US will provide any benefit to travel? I’m assuming it’s still going to be a firm “no” but I may sign up for a Pfizer vaccination x2 just in case something changes shortly after.

I am expecting the world to be chaos for international travel for another few years minimum with China being the least likely to end quarantine.