Scholz in China: state visit in the corona bubble

China is actually sticking to its zero-Covid strategy – and then comes Olaf Scholz. So the balancing act between corona policy and state visit must be successful. That means: many conditions, not only for the chancellor.

No sooner has the chancellor aircraft landed at Beijing’s capital airport than the white Air Force Airbus with the black, red and gold side stripes has to take off again. The flight continues to South Korea for the pilot and crew. The machine is temporarily parked there, where it awaits the return journey of Olaf Scholz, the business delegation and the accompanying press. Another crew will get on there in the evening and pick up the chancellor again in Beijing.

It is one of the many special features of the Chancellor’s inaugural visit to China. It’s been a good three years since his predecessor visited the country. Then came the corona pandemic and with it the strict no-Covid strategy that China is pursuing.

PCR test still at the airport

Two days before departure, the journalists traveling with them had to carry out a first PCR test, and 24 hours later the second. Even before Scholz leaves the machine, he has to undergo another test.

Buses pull up on the tarmac for the group traveling with them – converted into PCR sample stations. The smears are carried out by staff in white full body suits, so-called “Hazmat Suites”. Only then can the column head towards the state guest house. You then have to wait for the test results.

This also has consequences for reporting. Only a handful of journalists are allowed to attend Scholz’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. All the others have no opportunity to get an impression of the joint appearance.

Short trip due to quarantine requirements

The chancellor’s visit is really just a short trip: just about eleven hours on site, not a single overnight stay despite the long journey to and from the destination with a flight time of well over 20 hours in total. This is also due to the corona restrictions, which actually require quarantine.

In order to avoid this, the Chancellor group is strictly shielded and forms its own “corona bubble”, so to speak. But it also means that anyone who enters this bubble from the Chinese side must then go into quarantine.