Beijing: After a break that lasted over two years, China on Monday announced that it is planning to issue student visas to hundreds of Indian students. This is a relief for students who are stranded in India.
The strict Covid-19 restrictions in China had put the students' future in uncertainty.
Ji Rong, Counsellor, Department of Asian Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China, tweeted the news and said various categories of travel permits for Indians including business visas will be issued.
She wrote: "Warmest congrats to Indian students! Your patience proves worthwhile. I can really share your excitement and happiness. Welcome back to China!"
As per the announcement, X1-Visa will be issued to students who intend to go to China to pursue long-term study for higher academic education, including newly-enrolled students and students who return to China to resume their courses.
Over 23,000 Indian students are stranded in their hometowns due to the pandemic and most of them are medical students. India had submitted a list of their names after China sought information on those who wanted to return immediately. Students from Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Russia have already arrived on chartered flights.
New students are asked to produce the original admission letters issued by a university in China. And old students need a 'Certificate of Returning to Campus' issued by their colleges. Sources say over 1,000 old students have expressed their desire to immediately re-join their campuses.
One of the reasons for the delay is not having direct flights between China and India. A chartered flight engaged by Indian businessmen and their families arrived in the Chinese city of Hangzhou recently. Officials of the two nations are in talks to resume flight operations.