China launches global version of travel health certificate online for its citizens

Launched by the Department of Consular Affairs of the Foreign Ministry on Monday, the certificate includes nucleic acid test and serum antibody results, vaccine inoculation and other information.

A medical worker receives a dose of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine as Japan launches its inoculation campaign, at Tokyo Medical Center in Tokyo,  (REUTERS)

China has launched the international version of its travel health certificate on social media platform WeChat which will be available mainly for its citizens abroad, in a bid to facilitate their global travel.

Launched by the Department of Consular Affairs of the Foreign Ministry on Monday, the certificate includes nucleic acid test and serum antibody results, vaccine inoculation and other information.

The App has an encrypted code to allow authorities to verify the holder's personal information, according to the ministry.

China's State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi told reporters here on Sunday that in the near future, as more and more countries agree on mutual recognition of health certificates with China, international travel could be facilitated.

The international travel health document will play a greater role in promoting the healthy, safe and orderly exchange of transnational personnel, and provide Chinese citizens a solid guarantee when traveling abroad, state-run China Global Television Network (CGTN) reported.

China has launched the international version of its travel health certificate on social media platform WeChat which will be available mainly for its citizens abroad, in a bid to facilitate their global travel.

Launched by the Department of Consular Affairs of the Foreign Ministry on Monday, the certificate includes nucleic acid test and serum antibody results, vaccine inoculation and other information.

The App has an encrypted code to allow authorities to verify the holder's personal information, according to the ministry.

China's State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi told reporters here on Sunday that in the near future, as more and more countries agree on mutual recognition of health certificates with China, international travel could be facilitated.

The international travel health document will play a greater role in promoting the healthy, safe and orderly exchange of transnational personnel, and provide Chinese citizens a solid guarantee when traveling abroad, state-run China Global Television Network (CGTN) reported.|#+|

China has already mooted to the US a mutual recognition of the vaccines to permit people travel between the two countries with vaccination certificates. The technology is expected to become more popular this year as vaccines continue to spread.

Beijing has currently granted emergency approval to four of its vaccines and plan to roll out 12 more awaiting the World Health Organisation (WHO) approval.

Observers say once the WHO, which has so far approved Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines, extends its approval to Chinese as well as Indian vaccines including Covaxin by Bharat Biotech, it could help restore international travel. 

• with inputs from HT Correspondent