LBCI

China reopens borders in final farewell to zero-COVID

World

08-01-2023 | 08:22

Share

Share

China reopens borders in final farewell to zero-COVID

2^min

Travelers streamed into China by air, land and sea on Sunday, many eager for long-awaited reunions, as Beijing opened borders that have been all but shut since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

After three years, mainland China opened sea and land crossings with Hong Kong and ended a requirement for incoming travelers to quarantine, dismantling a final pillar of a zero-COVID policy that had shielded China's 1.4 billion people from the virus but also cut them off from the rest of the world.

China's easing over the past month of one of the world's tightest COVID regimes followed historic protests against a policy that included frequent testing, curbs on movement and mass lockdowns that heavily damaged the second-biggest economy.

Long queues formed at the Hong Kong international airport's check-in counters for flights to mainland cities including Beijing, Tianjin and Xiamen. Hong Kong media outlets estimated that thousands were crossing.

REUTERS

China

Chinese

Cases

COVID19

Coronavirus

Border

Travelers

Subscribe to our VOD

SUBSCRIBE

Our visitors readings

Italy to send air-defense aid to Gulf countries: PM

2026-03-05

Italy to send air-defense aid to Gulf countries: PM

Hezbollah says Israeli forces facing difficulty around Beaufort Castle area

2026-06-01

Hezbollah says Israeli forces facing difficulty around Beaufort Castle area

Qatar's energy boss says he had warned of dangers of provoking Iran

Middle East News

2026-03-20

Qatar's energy boss says he had warned of dangers of provoking Iran

Veterinary Syndicate chief calls for release of activist Ghina Nahfawi: Protecting animals from abuse is a moral and legal duty

2026-05-19

Veterinary Syndicate chief calls for release of activist Ghina Nahfawi: Protecting animals from abuse is a moral and legal duty

Videos

Lebanon-Israel talks: delegations arrive at US Embassy in Rome — Video

2026-08-06

Lebanon-Israel talks: delegations arrive at US Embassy in Rome — Video

Residents begin returning to Zawtar el-Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon: Video

2026-07-24

Residents begin returning to Zawtar el-Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon: Video

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

2026-07-20

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

2026-06-26

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

2026-06-26

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

2026-06-26

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

2026-06-20

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

2026-06-19

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

2026-06-16

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

Most read

24 hours

7 days

Month

Lebanon has not agreed to shortlist of countries that could verify Hezbollah's disarmament: Reuters

1

Lebanon has not agreed to shortlist of countries that could verify Hezbollah's disarmament: Reuters

Dispute between Lebanon’s prime minister and defense minister under discussion, sources say

2

Dispute between Lebanon’s prime minister and defense minister under discussion, sources say

Ali al-Taher hills: Between military confrontation and surrender scenario

3

Ali al-Taher hills: Between military confrontation and surrender scenario

Lebanon Cabinet approves fees on waste-generating products despite ministerial objections

4

Lebanon Cabinet approves fees on waste-generating products despite ministerial objections

Explosion rocks ammunition factory near Rome

5

Explosion rocks ammunition factory near Rome

Lebanon's defense minister apologizes to martyrs' families, vows to defend army's voice

6

Lebanon's defense minister apologizes to martyrs' families, vows to defend army's voice

Lebanon presidency denies media reports on Aoun-Trump meeting

7

Lebanon presidency denies media reports on Aoun-Trump meeting

A new force for Lebanon's south? The debate over who will monitor the next phase after UNIFIL

8

A new force for Lebanon's south? The debate over who will monitor the next phase after UNIFIL

Download now the LBCI mobile app

To see the latest news, the latest daily programs in Lebanon and the world

Google Play

App Store

Download now the LBCI mobile app

We use
cookies

We use cookies to make
your experience on this
website better.

Accept

Learn More