The trend could have implications for Muslim-majority Malaysia, where ethnic divide is a sensitive issue.

Mydin boss Ameer Ali Mydin says it is an impractical and discriminatory idea.

In February, the US House of Representatives voted to lift the requirement that most foreign air travellers be vaccinated against Covid-19, one of the few remaining pandemic travel restrictions still in place.

The federal Labor government says the current system used to select skilled migrants - the points test - will be modified to identify people with the correct skill sets the Australian economy needs going forward.

The fighting has killed hundreds of people and left some neighbourhoods of greater Khartoum in ruins, prompting thousands of foreigners and Sudanese to flee.

Myanmar has been in the political turmoil since the military staged coup last year by arresting civilian leaders including Aung San Suu Kyi in the early morning raids on Feb 1, 2021.

Thailand has been on a drive to lure foreign investment to boost the economy, including long-term visa schemes and income tax breaks for 'high potential' foreigners, wealthy retirees and skilled-professionals.

Kuala Lumpur is followed by Tbilisi, Lisbon and Dubai.

China shares a border with more than 10 countries including Russia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam.

The 'Residency Through Investment' programme will open for applications next month.

The border announcement comes as New Zealand prepares to revamp its domestic Covid-19 response to scrap lockdowns in recognition that the highly contagious Delta variant is now firmly embedded in the community.

The move comes two days after the Taliban announced an interim government made up mainly of ethnic Pashtun men including wanted terror suspects and Islamist hardliners, dashing international hopes for a more moderate administration.