International passengers line up at a distance of 1 meter between each other when handing in the health declaration cards at the Beijing Capital International Airport. Photo: Liu Xin/GT

A senior Chinese diplomat in the US has called for cooperation from Washington in restoring travel and trade between the two countries that have been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, while noting China's continued to efforts to facilitate essential travels.

In response to a question about when China will lift travel restrictions, Zhao Jian, consul general of the Chinese Consulate General in Chicago, said that China and the US should jointly combat COVID-19 pandemic and create better conditions for the free exchange of personnel, while taking necessary measures to prevent virus spread.

In a discussion with Michael Van Denend, executive director of World Affairs Council of Western Michigan(WACWM) on Tuesday, Zhao also noted that China has taken corresponding measures to open up convenient channels for people with humanitarian needs, corporate personnel and foreign investors who urgently need to go to China to resume work and production, according to a Q&A transcript published on the Chinese Consulate General website on Saturday.

However, given the considerable risk of surging imported COVID-19 cases in recent months, it's necessary for China to take relevant prevention and control measures, which have received the understanding and support of the vast majority of travelers, Zhao added.

The Chinese mainland reported eight new COVID-19 cases on Friday, all imported, according to media reports.

China currently requires a 14-day quarantine for all interval arrivals, including Chinese citizens. 

To further restore travel and trade between the two countries, the US must also do its part in containing the raging epidemic and cooperating with China, said Wang Xiaosong, an economics professor at the Renmin University of China in Beijing, who closely follows China-US economic and trade relations.

The US should learn from China's successful experiences and step up prevention measures in coronavirus control, and proactively show good will and sincerity and restore economic and trade relationship with China, rather than further pushing for decoupling, Wang told the Global Times on Saturday.

"Gradually reducing or removing the tariffs on China will help the US increase employment and help its economy recover from the pandemic," Wang said.

We hope that the new administration of the US will focus on cooperation, manage differences, and strive to bring China-US relations back on track and create a favorable atmosphere for the healthy development of bilateral economic and trade relations, Zhao said.