In the latest announcement by China, the country stated that at least 1,300 Indian students have received Chinese visas amidst strict Covid-19 restrictions. In a press briefing, Zhao Lijian, the spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, responded to the media question on Chinese universities delaying NOCs to Indian students.
Advising Indian students to remain in touch with their respective universities, Lijian suggested that the students should plan their return as per the accommodations made by the universities. However, reports stated that 40 Chinese universities are yet to issue Indian students the NOCs needed to apply for the required visas.
Reports further highlighted that while a few universities are yet to respond to the queries and questions raised by the students, a few have blamed the provincial governments, citing that these governments have stopped the universities from issuing the NOCs.
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Lijian reiterated the competency and desire of the Chinese government in welcoming international students, regardless of their nationality. Moreover, with troubled air travel connections between the two countries, the students have been finding it hard to return and continue their studies, even though China has issued visas to students who received permits from their respective universities.
More than 23,000 Indian students, primarily enrolled in medical courses in China, are currently unable to return due to Covid-19 induced visa restrictions. The Indian embassy in Beijing previously published a comprehensive advisory to students wishing to study in China.
Citing the Gazette Notification dated 18 November 2021, by the NMC, the Indian Embassy in Beijing revealed in its press release that students must be “registered with the respective professional regulatory body… competent to grant the license to practice medicine in their respective jurisdiction of the country…” where the student received their medical degree. The response was given after prospective Indian students and their parents raised countless queries.
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The press release further revealed that any student enrolled in China after November 2021 and failing to obtain a medical doctor’s license in China will be considered ineligible to appear for the FMGE test required for students planning to practice medicine in India after studying abroad.
On a query pertaining to those failing to obtain a practitioner's license in China, where students can still practice in the capacity of an “assistant doctor” after completing their studies, the embassy revealed that they will provide any relevant information regarding the same, once the relevant Chinese authorities have reverted with a response to such an option.
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Source: NDTV
