BEIJING — Passengers on flights to China are required to provide negative nucleic acid test results before boarding, the country's civil aviation regulator said on July 21.

Chinese and foreign passengers taking flights to China must complete the tests within five days before embarking, the Civil Aviation Administration of China said in a joint statement issued with the General Administration of Customs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The tests should be conducted in institutions designated or approved by Chinese embassies, the statement added.

The move aims to ensure the health and safety of international travelers and reduce the risks of cross-border spread of the pandemic, the statement said.