Most entry restrictions that countries have imposed on Chinese citizens are rational and appropriate, said Cui Aimin, director-general of the Foreign Ministry's Department of Consular Affairs on Sunday.

China understands and respects these measures, said Cui. However, China has lodged representations to individual countries which have responded excessively, he said at a news conference.

People-to-people exchanges between China and other countries are smooth on the whole, Cui said, adding that China hopes to strengthen work with other countries to curb the epidemic.

Also, China will follow closely the development of the epidemic in other countries and strengthen communication with those countries to reduce unnecessary cross-border travels and ensure its foreign exchanges and cooperation won't suffer major impact, he said.