According to US health officials, the United States will demand negative COVID-19 testing for travelers from China following Beijing's move to ease limitations on the virus' containment.

The officials announced on Wednesday that the new policy, which will take effect on January 5, will apply to all flight passengers from China, Hong Kong, and Macao above the age of two.

A health official stated the tests must be taken "no more than two days before their departure." Instead of a negative test result, travelers who test positive more than ten days before a flight may verify recovery.

Beijing announced Monday that it would eliminate mandatory COVID quarantines for international arrivals beginning on January 8, causing a flurry of international travel planning in China.

China has recently seen an increase in COVID-19 infections after relaxing its anti-virus regulations. The so-called "zero COVID" laws, which included lockdowns and intensive testing, had halted the spread of the virus but had also stifled economic progress and frustrated the population.

Beijing has been criticized internationally for allegedly inconsistent COVID data reporting.

"We only have a few statistics regarding the number of cases, hospitalizations, and notable deaths on the rise. In addition, testing has decreased across China, making it harder to determine the exact infection incidence, a US health official told reporters on Wednesday.

A US official said earlier this week that the lack of genetic data from China makes it "increasingly difficult for public health officials to assure that they would be able to identify any potential novel variations and take quick measures to minimize the spread."

India, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, and Taiwan have also imposed travel restrictions on Chinese citizens due to the pandemic.

Beijing has emphasized that COVID remains "under control" throughout the country as it adapts to the new laws.

The White House correspondent for Al Jazeera, Kimberly Halkett, stated that while Beijing dismisses fears of a COVID epidemic in the country as "hype," the US government is primarily concerned with what it terms China's lack of transparency.

"It is quite frightening for U.S. officials who are observing a worsening of the COVID outbreaks in China and are not receiving the data they are genuinely seeking," she said.

In June, the United States eliminated testing requirements for all passengers after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that they were no longer required. Before entering the country, the United States still needs proof of COVID immunization from tourists and visitors.

Beijing has emerged as Washington's chief geopolitical rival, but the two nations maintain robust economic and trade connections.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated last week that the United States would prefer China to "bring this outbreak under control" to minimize suffering, limit the virus's international spread, and prevent disruptions to the global economy.

"We are prepared to continue providing this and other COVID-related health support to individuals worldwide, including in China," Blinken said.

"China has not yet requested this aid, but we stand ready to assist anyone who requests it if they deem it useful."