(Photo: AP/ANDY WONG)

China is experiencing a nationwide outbreak of the coronavirus after abruptly easing restrictions that were in place for much of the pandemic.

Countries including the US, UK, India, Japan and several European nations have announced tougher measures on travelers from China amid concerns over a lack of data on infections and fears of the possibility that new variants may emerge.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a briefing that the entry restrictions adopted by some countries targeting China lack scientific basis, and some excessive practices are even more unacceptable and that China will take countermeasures based on the principle of reciprocity.