U.S. business executives get permission to return to China

The American Chamber of Commerce in China has secured approval to fly U.S. executives back to China, reports the South China Morning Post.

According to an e-mail sent by AmCham China to its members, the first chartered flight from the United States to China since the COVID-19 outbreak has been postponed from August 28 to September 12.

So far, at least 200 people have signed up since Monday for a San Francisco to Beijing charter flight, which is well over the 120 needed to make it happen. Global Times reports that the flight will be operated by United Airlines.

A United Airlines plane lands at San Francisco International Airport on March 6, 2020 in Burlingame, California. [File Photo: VCG]

Employees of AmCham China members are eligible to board the flight, and their workplace must be in Beijing. An invitation letter from a Beijing municipal government entity is also needed. Family members will be permitted to travel with employees, but all passengers will be required to pass a COVID-19 test before boarding and obtain a valid re-entry visa, according to SCMP.

AmCham China told Global Times that the Beijing government provided preliminary approval for its “Back to Work” charter flight on August 14. The Chinese capital and the chamber are doing everything possible to help expedite the return of U.S. employees to Beijing, although there are still additional procedures required before giving final approval.