China has said it was considering a “coordinated” arrangement for the return of foreign students, but remained non-committal on a definite timeline to allow them, including over 23,000 Indians, who are stuck back home for the past two years due to Beijing’s Covid-19 visa bans.

To a question on when China will permit the stranded Indian students and what is hindering Beijing to allow them, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian merely reiterated what his ministry has been saying for over a year that Beijing wants an orderly return of the students as per the safety protocols of Covid-19. 

“I can tell you that the Chinese government attaches great importance to the issue of foreign students returning to China for their studies,” Zhao said.

A few days ago Beijing said it will facilitate the return of international students to China from Pakistan, Mongolia and Singaporeto resume their classes.

(SAM)