CORRECTED WRAPUP 2-China reopens border in final farewell for zero-COVID

(Corrects paragraph 9, to say that 2 billion trips will be made, not 2 million people to travel.

Joyce Zhou, Yew Lun Tian

HONG KONG/BEIJING Jan 8 (Reuters) – Travellers started streaming into China via air, land, and sea on Sunday. Many were eager to reunite with their loved ones, as Beijing opened borders that had been closed since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Three years later, mainland China allowed land and sea crossings to Hong Kong. It also ended the requirement that incoming travelers must be quarantined. This was the final pillar of a zero COVID policy, which had not only protected China’s citizens from the virus, but also isolated them from the rest of world.

China’s gradual relaxation over the past month in one of the most restrictive COVID regimes worldwide followed protests of historic proportions against a policy that had included frequent testing, restrictions on movement and mass lockdowns. These policies severely damaged China’s second largest economy.

There were long lines at Hong Kong’s international airport to board flights to mainland cities such as Beijing, Tianjin, and Xiamen. Some Hong Kong media outlets estimated that there were thousands of people crossing the border.

“I’m so happy, so happy, so excited. “I haven’t seen them in many years,” Teresa Chow, a Hong Kong resident, said as she and dozens other travellers prepared for crossing into mainland China at Hong Kong’s Lok Ma Chau checkpoint on Sunday morning.

“My parents are not well and I couldn’t go back to them even when they had colon Cancer, so I’m really happy to return and see them now,” she stated, adding that she will be heading to Ningbo, her hometown in eastern China.

Investors believe that the reopening of the $17 trillion economy will bring back growth after its slowest growth in almost 50 years. However, the abrupt policy change has led to a tsunami of infections that have overwhelmed some hospitals and caused business disruptions.

The border opening comes after Saturday’s beginning of “chunyun”, the first 40 day period of Lunar New Year travel. Before the pandemic, this was the largest annual migration in the world of people returning home to their families for holidays.

According to the government, 2 billion trips will be made this season. This is nearly twice what was done last year and roughly 70% more than in 2019.

Many Chinese are expected to travel overseas, which is a long-awaited shift in tourist destinations such as Thailand or Indonesia. However, many governments, concerned about China’s COVID spike, have placed restrictions on foreign travellers.

Analysts predict that travel will not return to pre-pandemic levels quickly due to factors such as a shortage of international flights.

China also issued travel visas, passports, and visas to mainland residents on Sunday. It also issued visas and visas for ordinary citizens and permits of residence for foreigners. Beijing sets daily quotas for the number of people allowed to travel between Hong Kong, China and China.

HOMECOMINGS, VISITORS

Family and friends exchanged hugs, greetings, and hugs at Beijing Capital International Airport’s Terminal 3 with passengers from Hong Kong, Warsaw, and Frankfurt. These were meetings that were possible despite the fact that travellers from overseas to quarantine had been cancelled.

“I’ve been looking forward to the reopening for a long time. Finally, we have reconnected with all of the world. I’m thrilled, I can’t believe it’s happening,” said a business woman surnamed Shen, 55, who flew in from Hong Kong.

Another group of people waiting at the airport was a group consisting of female fans with long lens cameras, hoping to catch a glimpse South Korean boy band Tempest. This is the first South Korean idol group to enter China in three years.

“It’s so good to see them in person! They are much more handsome and taller than I expected,” a 19-year-old who gave her name as Xiny told Reuters after chasing the seven-member boyband, who flew in from Seoul via the Chinese city of Dalian.

“With quarantine restrictions lifted, it’s going to be so much more convenient to fly over to see them, and for them to come to Beijing,” she said.

PROTESTS

However, such scenes of reunions were thrown in with protests in other cities in China over the weekend as a reminder of the economic strain.

China is not known for its tolerance of protests. Over the years, many have taken to the streets in protest over financial and property scams. Authorities have been on high alert following widespread protests at the end November in Chinese cities and top universities against COVID restrictions.

On Saturday, hundreds protested against the decision of Tesla to reduce prices for the second consecutive month. This was in response to weakening demand in China’s largest auto market.

(Reporting from Joyce Zhou in Hong Kong and Yew Lun Trian in Beijing; Writing by Brenda Goh, Shanghai; Editing By William Mallard