02:04
“I haven’t seen my boyfriend in three years. We are so excited to see each other,” Gema Liu told CGTN.
She is waiting for her partner to arrive at the airport in Madrid. Many other Chinese are preparing for their long-awaited reunion with their loved ones.
It’s an emotional scene made possible by China’s lifting of quarantine rules and travel restrictions, dubbed “The Great Reopening.”
Much of the coverage on this story has focused on specific EU regulations regarding testing of Chinese passengers, and there have been concerns about the potential spread of new strains, but the human story has been a bit lost.
read more
Global airline chiefs attack ‘kneeling’ restrictions
What are the COVID-19 travel rules in Europe?
Secret Betrayal: Chinese WWII Sailors
The heartwarming scene at Madrid’s Barajas airport has been repeated around the world in recent days, with families both in China and abroad finally reuniting after years of separation.
There have been many headlines about the COVID-19 restrictions imposed on Chinese travelers arriving in the EU, but when Gemma’s boyfriend walked through the gate, he called the process “easy.”
“We needed to be tested for COVID-19, but it wasn’t a big deal for us,” he said. “We have done a lot of testing in China and are used to it. Results are immediate.”
Madrid airport waiting for arrival from China. /CGTN
Madrid airport waiting for arrival from China. /CGTN
With health and tourism officials at odds over certain restrictions on Chinese tourists, the people who actually make the trip seem to be doing just fine.
The EU has “strongly encouraged” the bloc of 27 countries to require negative COVID-19 tests for people coming from China. Spain also had temperature checks, and some passengers had to undergo antigen tests upon arrival.
These restrictions and reviews have provoked strong reactions from airline groups and tourism authorities. Willie Walsh, secretary general of the International Air Transport Association, said on 4 January that these measures had “proven to be ineffective” and that “the virus is already widespread within our borders”.
The sights of Madrid airport over the weekend painted a different picture. Family and friends reunite for the first time in years.
Spain tourism boost
Spain’s tourism authorities are positive about the return of Chinese tourists. After all, it is the world’s largest outbound market.
Chinese travelers made 155 million trips in 2019, spending more than $255 billion.
Tourism is still the most important industry for Spain, accounting for around 15% of GDP. That’s a big boost for the economy.
In 2019, Chinese tourists were also Spain’s largest consumers, leaving more to the local economy per capita than any other country.
Ken Browne of CGTN interviews one of the arrivals. /CGTN
Ken Browne of CGTN interviews one of the arrivals. /CGTN
Early signs are already promising. Bookings for international travel destinations in China have surged by more than 500% compared to this time last year.
And of course, it makes it easier for Chinese people living outside Madrid to go home to see their families on Chinese New Year.
“Chinese New Year is on January 21, before the 15-day quarantine,” Liu Yiyan told CGTN as she waited for her flight to Beijing.
“Now they have canceled everything. It’s much better for us and we can start preparing for the festivities. I think more and more people will be going home for the Chinese New Year. I haven’t been home in two years.I really miss my grandma!”
With the lifting of pandemic travel restrictions in the world’s largest country, we hope to see more scenes like Madrid as Chinese family and friends reunite around the world.
