Last update: March 9th, 2021.
“We will roll out health certificates for international travelers,” confirmed Zhao Lijian, deputy director of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during a press conference held on March 8th, 2021.
In addition to the deployment of a COVID pass certificate, the government of China announced the creation of an app that will operate as a consular service to “facilitate the safe and orderly flow of personnel and better protect the safety and health” of Chinese citizens currently overseas.
Initially, China’s health pass will be a document that will only be issued to Chinese nationals who have conducted nucleic acid tests or got inoculated with Chinese vaccines, emphasized Lijian.
This new immunity certificate, which the international press has named China’s ‘virus passport’, aims to “promote world economic recovery and facilitate cross-border travel,” said Wang Yi, the country’s Foreign Minister, on March 7th.
How does the Chinese COVID-19 vaccination pass work
Although the COVID pass has not yet been launched, local authorities have provided in-detail information about its nature. “The certificate will be available in two formats, digital and in paper,” specified Zhao Lijian.
The document will offer information regarding the holder’s NAT and IgC anti-body test results, as well as the Chinese citizen’s vaccination status according to the country’s records.
In terms of the cybersecurity and protection of health data, the Chinese e-certificate of vaccination will use encrypted information which will be readable and verifiable through a QR code.
China on third-country nationals and other health passes
The Chinese government has suggested there is room for international cooperation when it comes to dealing with vaccination certificates. “China stands ready to discuss with other countries on establishing mutual recognition mechanisms for health codes information,” affirmed Lijian.
An interoperable system between China and other regions, such as Europe via its upcoming EU Green Pass or the GGC countries via the Unified Gulf health passport, could lead to the creation of green corridors for international travel.
In regards to issuing Chinese e-health certificates for vaccinated foreign travelers, such as tourists, the government clarified that at the moment its COVID-19 passport will only be available for country nationals.
However, Foreign Minister Wang Yi leaves the door open to the expansion of China’s vaccine pass. “On the precondition of observing containment protocols, the Chinese authorities will study this matter in a coordinated manner and keep in communication with relevant parties,” said the minister in an official statement published on March 9th.