THE Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry has proposed measures to help “smoothen” the arrivals process for tourists from China, Minister Tiong King Sing said.

In a Facebook post, Tiong stressed that this can shorten the arrival process.

“This shows that Malaysia is a friendly nation, welcoming travellers from China.

“At the same time, it also takes into account the level of health and safety of travellers from the country, and removes the concerns of foreign tourists about Malaysia’s move to tighten the SOP at our borders,” he said in the post.

Tiong said the ministry would station Mandarin-speaking officers at all international airports throughout the country.

“This is to help smoothen operations at arrival points, especially for travellers from China who have poor English fluency and do not understand Bahasa Malaysia,” he added.

Yesterday, Tiong said it is neither appropriate nor effective for now to tighten immigration restrictions, including for tourists from China.

Tiong said the people’s safety and health would remains a priority for the ministry but foreign tourists, including those from China, were important to drive the country’s economic interests.

“So far, we have retained the status quo and continued to monitor developments from time to time. If there is a change in the situation and an urgent need, of course we will ensure a more stringent SOP,” he said in a statement yesterday.

China reopened its borders today after three years of near isolation due to the pandemic.

However, in anticipation of an influx of tourists couple with a spike in Chinese cases, the Ministry of Health said it is ready to revise its policy for the management of Covid at borders, including tightening standard operating procedures.

Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said it will be implemented if necessary, and will be applicable to everyone wishing to enter the country.

She said the ministry has taken on board the people’s concerns about China’s Covid cases and the subsequent restrictions imposed on Chinese arrivals by several countries.

At least a dozen countries have said that Chinese travellers must provide proof of a negative Covid test result upon arrival. – January 8, 2023.