China’s Digital Health Certificates

After March 7, 2021 when Beijing stated its plan to issue electronic health certificates and implement mutual recognition of other countries’ COVID-19 tests and inoculations, the country's State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that the digital health certificate program would allow countries to mutually recognize travelers’ nucleic acid testing and vaccine histories and achieve “a healthy, safe, and regulated new order for cross-border exchanges of people.”

Wang mentioned that China is engaging with international partners on the program, but did not disclose information about the countries involved and the status of the program. The digital health certificates would be implemented while “fully protecting personal privacy,” the foreign minister added.

What is This Health Certificate?

Right after foreign minister Wang Yi’s speech, a mock-up of the digital and print versions of the International Travel Health Certificates was disclosed in the official WeChat account of the Department of Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The certificate, available in both digital and paper forms, shows certificate holder’s nucleic acid testing results, vaccination status, and serum IgG antibody test results with an encrypted QR code so that relevant departments in participating countries can have access to personal health information.

A screenshot of China’s vaccine passport. (Photo credit: Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ official WeChat account)

However, this certificate is in its trail period and can only be used in WeChat program for Chinese citizens. Whether or not China’s "International Travel Health Certificate" is truly a "vaccine passport" depends on whether it is accepted by relevant authorities overseas.

At the annual Two Sessions in Beijing, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) suggested that in future, the "health certificate" should replace mandatory quarantine for inbound travelers from overseas. 

But for now, this is just a proposal.

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