The THAAD standoff between China and South Korea has expectedly got ugly, with reports suggesting that Chinese authorities are set to announce fresh travel restrictions against its Korean neighbour. 

According to the Financial Times, China's tourism administration has issued the instruction that after March 15 no Chinese groups will be allowed to travel to South Korea. Companies that fail to comply will be subjected to fine and may even have their licence revoked.

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Several travel agents including China's largest online travel portal, Ctrip, informed the Financial Times that they will soon withdraw some products in response to the latest travel ban. The business newspaper, however, did not shed much light on how big a Chinese group has to be to attract a travel ban. It also did not clarify whether the restriction is only applicable to professional traveling groups.

This news comes barely days after the South Korean conglomerate, Lotte Group, agreed to lease its golf course land for deployment of the THAAD missile system. The decision attracted a dire warning from Chinese state media that such a move could cause enormous harm to its business operation in China.

"Lotte will hurt the Chinese people and the consequences could be severe. The Chinese people will not support a company complicit in damaging China's interests," Chinese state media Xinhua said.

Some of Lotte's properties in China have already been subjected to severe scrutiny allegedly for health and tax compliances. The conglomerate, which has diverse business interests, was even forced to close down three retail shops in Beijing last month.

However, Lotte is not the only South Korean entity that is facing the heat in China due to THAAD controversy. Apparently, South Korea's famous entertainment symbol like dramas and K pop artists have been facing the wrath of Chinese authorities for several weeks now.  

The THAAD missile issue has been a thorny issue between China and South Korea ever since North Korea resumed its controversial missile program following the collapse of talks. Beijing claims that missile deployment would harm the regional security, but Seoul considers the THAAD as a shield to protect the county from against any possible attack from Pyongyang.  

TagsTHAAD missile system, China and South Korea, South Korea THAAD, china