A diplomatic row between China and Mexico escalated yesterday as the Mexican government prepared to airlift dozens of its citizens from the country in response to what it called discrimination in its quarantining practices for H1N1 swine flu.
International flights to Beijing are being stopped before they reach the terminal and are not allowed to offload until health authorities have checked passengers and crew for symptoms, airport officials said yesterday.
Mexican citizens showing no signs of illness are being singled out during these health checks no matter where the planes are from and taken away for quarantine in hospitals and hotels without explanation and without embassy or consulate staff being informed, Mexican officials said.