Beijing on Wednesday said it has scrapped visa-free transit for South Korean and Japanese nationals, further restricting entry to the mainland from the two countries.

South Korea and Japan had in recent weeks imposed fresh travel requirements on all visitors from China, citing Covid fears.

Beijing hit back at what it deemed "unacceptable" curbs, suspending the issue of short-term visas for visitors from the two countries.

Immigration authorities stepped up restrictions on Wednesday "in response to the recent discriminatory entry restrictions imposed by a few countries on Chinese citizens.

"The national immigration authorities have, with immediate effect, suspended...the 72/144-hour visa-free transit policy for South Korean and Japanese citizens," the National Immigration Administration said in a statement.

Travellers from scores of countries are eligible for 72-hour visa-free transit through the nation if they can show proof of pending travel to a third country, with some eligible for a 144-hour stay in certain cities and provinces.

The tightening of restrictions came hours after South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol said that there is no need to create tension over China's retaliatory action on travel restrictions.

Tokyo, for its part, said it had protested China's decision to scrap short-term visas for its citizens, demanding that Beijing reverse the decision. (AFP/Reuters)