China’s new ambassador to North Korea has thanked his DPRK counterparts for facilitating his “special” entry into the country in March, remarks that suggest Pyongyang won’t make similar accommodations for other nations.

At a reception at the Chinese Embassy last week, Wang Yajun said North Korea made a “special case” to allow his delegation to enter despite strict epidemic prevention measures, according to the embassy’s website. The DPRK’s COVID-19 border controls have prevented even citizens from entering the country for more than three years.

His remark appears to confirm what multiple diplomats, aid workers and international organization staff