Beijing, July 04: Seventy-seven countries, including Pakistan have lifted restrictions on visits by Chinese delegations since the World Health Organisation (WHO) lifted the travel advisory on Beijing and removed the city from the list of SARS-affected areas. "They (these foreign countries) are conducting general rather than specific checks and inquiries" on members of the Chinese delegations," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Kong Quan said. Some other countries have said they will take similar measures soon, he told reporters here.


Kong said 127 countries had taken measures to restrict visits by Chinese delegations since the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in parts of China.


These measures included suspending the issuance of visas, prohibiting entry, closing ports, and conducting quarantines after entry and follow-up observation.
Pakistan closed its seasonal border via Karakarum highway after SARS spread in China. The check post at Sust was reopened on July one for trade and normal travelling.

The Chinese government had also restricted its delegations from visiting foreign countries to prevent the transmission of SARS, he said.

China's contacts with foreign countries declined sharply during that period, Kong said.
As some countries removed SARS restrictions on China after the who lifted the travel advisory on Beijing and removed the Chinese capital from the list of SARS-affected areas on June 24, china has gradually resumed its overseas contacts.

Bureau Report