{"id":9541,"date":"2023-01-19T08:30:00","date_gmt":"2023-01-18T22:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/?p=9541"},"modified":"2023-08-07T10:15:11","modified_gmt":"2023-08-07T00:15:11","slug":"southeast-asia-snapshot-42","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/southeast-asia-snapshot-42\/","title":{"rendered":"Southeast Asia snapshot #42"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

SOVINDA PO<\/a> | <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ASEAN\u2019s response to China lifting its travel restrictions<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

China abruptly lifted<\/a> its Zero Covid Policy, on 8 January 2023, allowing travelers to move in and out of the country with no quarantine<\/a>. Some countries are imposing travel restrictions on Chinese travelers<\/a> to decrease the spread of COVID-19. including ASEAN countries which have varied responses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brunei and Myanmar<\/a> lifted their travel restrictions on all travelers which have been in place since 2022<\/a>. Cambodia welcomed the return of Chinese tourists with no quarantine, or prior testing<\/a>, and will prepare a welcome event<\/a> for the inbound Chinese travelers. The Cambodian government also urged all private businesses<\/a> to provide good services and hospitality for Chinese tourists. Similarly, Indonesia<\/a> and Laos<\/a> welcomed the inflow<\/a> of Chinese visitors but their travel must be in accordance with the respective country\u2019s COVID-19 policy, with the government stressing they will be cautious<\/a> regarding foreign travelers\u2019 regulations. Jakarta is also confident that its target<\/a> of receiving 253,000 Chinese tourists can be achieved this year while Laos similarly, is hoping for an increase<\/a> in Chinese travelers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In contrast, Malaysia will create a special entry point<\/a> for the arriving Chinese tourists. The government will establish special thermal screening procedures<\/a> for Chinese arrivals while those who have any COVID-19-related symptoms will undergo further examination<\/a>. The Malay government encouraged its citizens not to overreact to the incoming Chinese<\/a> travelers as there has not been any COVID-19 case reported yet. The Philippines, on the other hand, is confident that its current protocols are adequate<\/a> as most of its population is vaccinated and has adapted<\/a> to the \u2018new normal\u2019. Despite that, Manila still requires incoming Chinese tourists to present the negative COVID-19 test result<\/a> and is strengthening its monitoring systems<\/a> for safety assurance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Singapore, the government will not impose any restrictions<\/a> on inbound Chinese visitors but will strictly monitor COVID-19 infection cases. The Singaporean government will uphold its regulations<\/a> which require all incoming tourists to present their negative COVID-19 test result or their fully vaccinated documentation before arrival as the country is still concerned about the new virus variants<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Similar to Cambodia, Thailand<\/a> and Vietnam<\/a> have also welcomed Chinese tourists with open arms. In fact, the first group of Chinese travelers to visit Thailand were greeted by three Thai Cabinet ministers<\/a> while the Vietnamese authorities will set out a plan<\/a> to quickly attract Chinese tourists. No restrictions, quarantine, or COVID-19 tests<\/a> are required from Chinese tourists visiting Thailand<\/a> while Vietnam will put more efforts into improving the quality of its tourism sector<\/a> to attract Chinese travelers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though South Korea<\/a>, Japan<\/a>, Germany<\/a>, France<\/a>, the US<\/a>, among others, are still hesitating to open up to Chinese tourists, many believe the welcoming gesture from ASEAN states was due to the economic benefit brought by the Chinese visitors<\/a> which is needed for the region\u2019s post-COVID economic revival. Other observers have argued that Chinese travelers are coming to ASEAN countries to receive better COVID-19 vaccines<\/a> which have been viewed as a concern of the COVID-19 outbreak<\/a> in ASEAN countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether ASEAN countries will experience a spike in COVID-19 cases due to the inflow of Chinese travelers remains uncertain, the region\u2019s reopening and associated policies will undoubtedly contribute the ASEAN economic recovery in the long run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

New ASEAN Secretary General assumes his role<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The Cambodian Minister Attached to Prime Minister \u2013 Kao Kim Hourn<\/a> \u2013 assumed his role as the new ASEAN Secretary-General, appointed at the 2022 ASEAN Summit<\/a> on 9 January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new ASEAN chief highlighted six important priorities<\/a>, known as the \u201csix P\u2019s\u201d for ASEAN. Those are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n