Earlier this week, they were many reports in the US media claiming that China was making US diplomats undergo the Covid-19 anal tests procedure. However in a swift reaction to the uproar, the Chinese government has denied the allegation.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian told reporters at a daily briefing on Thursday that: “China has never asked US diplomats in China to go through anal swab tests.”
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Also, the US State Department released a statement reassuring the US Government’s commitment to guaranteeing the safety and security of American diplomats and their families while preserving their dignity. According to the statement, this was consistent with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations as well as other relevant diplomatic law provisions.
The Washington Post had reported that some US personnel had reported being subjected to the anal tests.
In China the procedure has been adopted because it is reportedly more accurate than nasal or mouth swabs.
In other development, China has not reported a new local case of COVID-19 in more than a week, the Beijing government has maintained strict testing, especially for people arriving from abroad; however, diplomats and other foreigners with special status are exempted from a ban on most foreigners entering the country.