In apparent retaliation for COVID-19-related requirements imposed by South Korea on Chinese travellers, China has suspended issuing visas for South Koreans to visit the country for tourism or business.

Japan’s Kyodo News service reports that the ban will also affect Japanese travellers.

According to a brief notice posted online by the Chinese Embassy in Seoul, the ban will remain in effect until South Korea lifts its “discriminatory measures on Chinese entry.”

No further information was provided, though China has threatened to retaliate against countries that require Chinese travellers to show a negative COVID-19 test result obtained within the previous 48 hours.

Recently, Canada renewed COVID-19 restrictions on flights originating in China and parts of Asia. Travellers leaving China, Hong Kong and Macao will be required to show proof of a negative test before flying to Canada, amid concern about the new XBB 1.5 variant.

China has been accused of withholding information about the current outbreak.