Beijing plans to fly back citizens amid Covid, tensions

New Delhi: China is planning to evacuate its citizens from India amid the spreading Covid-19 pandemic in the country, said a notice issued by the Chinese embassy in Delhi on Monday. While many other nations have repatriated their citizens from India, China had refrained from the move so far. The development comes amid heightened tensions between India and China along the Line of Actual Control. The notice, published on the embassy website, said students, tourists and businessmen who have been stranded in India will be allowed to fly back to China on special flights. China asked its citizens to register by May 27.

The offer applies to Chinese citizens including those who are in India to practice yoga or had come to India for the Buddhist religious circuit pilgrimage. It said those taking the flights will have to pay for the tickets and for their 14-day quarantine once they land in China. “Under the unified arrangement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant departments, the Chinese embassy and consulates will assist students, tourists, and temporary businessmen in India who have difficulties and are in urgent need of returning home to take temporary flights back to China,” said the notice.