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Ecuador announced the temporary suspension of its visa exemption agreement with China, citing an "unusual increase in irregular migration flows" of Chinese citizens to the Andean country. This measure, which will come into effect on July 1, aims to address the growing migration and ensure national border control.
In recent months, a significant increase in the entry of Chinese citizens into Ecuadorian territory has been observed. However, authorities have detected that approximately 50% of these migrants have not registered their departure from the country within the permitted 90-day period, suggesting an irregular stay or unofficial transit to other destinations in the region.
"The Government of Ecuador has decided to temporarily suspend the agreement on the mutual waiver of visa requirements for holders of ordinary passports between the Republic of Ecuador and the People's Republic of China," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. This decision is framed within the need to ensure the safety of those visiting the country and prevent them from falling victim to human trafficking or migrant smuggling, in addition to ensuring effective migration control.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility explained that this measure responds to the "unusual increase in irregular migration flows" from China, which have generated significant concerns. The Ministry did not provide additional details about the specific requirements that will be demanded from Chinese citizens with ordinary passports starting July 1.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Lin Jian, stated that "China firmly opposes any form of illegal immigration." Jian emphasized that they have taken strong measures to combat crimes that hinder national border management and have maintained a strict stance against all types of illegal immigration. Additionally, he highlighted that China is working in cooperation with other countries to jointly combat cross-border smuggling activities and illegal immigration.
Ecuador is positioned as a strategic point in the migration route of Chinese citizens towards the United States. In 2023, approximately 50,000 Chinese migrants entered Ecuador, of which half left the country irregularly. These migrants often depart from Ecuador to other destinations like Colombia, crossing the Darién gap in their journey towards the United States.
A report by the Wilson Center indicated a significant change in the immigration routes of Chinese citizens to the United States, with an increase in those crossing the southern border and seeking political asylum, driven by political repression and economic difficulties in China. The visa exemption policy facilitated this migration, but the new Ecuadorian measure seeks to curb this irregular flow and ensure more rigorous migration control.
The Government of Ecuador reiterated its commitment to ensuring that visitors to the country do so with adequate security guarantees and to maintaining the normal operation of airline companies.
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