China looks to give its struggling economy a tourism push with 10-day visa-free entry
China looks to give its struggling economy a tourism push with 10-day visa-free entry
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s China looking to review its economy the tourism way? Could be, as the Asian nation has announced relaxation of its visa-free transit policy, luring more foreign visitors. Starting today (December 17), China is offering 240 hours, or 10 days, of visa-free transit for international travellers from 54 nations, an extension from the original 72-144 hours.
A slight condition
The NIA detailed that eligible passport holders can obtain visa-free transit for tourism, business or visiting family members, but they will require visas for work, study, or media interviews.
‘Attract more foreigners to do business’
NIA spokesman Mao Xu said that the new changes will “improve the convenience of entry … and attract more foreigners to travel, do business, visit and exchange with China.”
She further said that China will also continue to open up its immigration management, “promote a larger, broader and deeper opening-up policy, and create a market-oriented, legalised, internationalised and first-class business environment.”In November China’s Foreign Ministry informed that the country had extended its visa-free policy to a total of 38 countries.
People from these countries including Spain, Singapore and the Netherlands, do not need a visa to enter China and can stay for up to 30 days for business, tourism, family visit, exchange and transit purposes.In 2023, since reopening its borders after three years of self-imposed isolation due to COVID-19, China has waived visa requirements for travellers to encourage travel to the world’s second largest economy.
In the first 11 months (January to November) of 2024, China recorded more than 29 million foreign visitors, a increase of 86 per cent year-on-year. According to a report by South China Morning Post, nearly 60 per cent of those travellers entered the country without a visa, a 123 per cent increase over the same period a year ago.Bangladesh politicians snap at PM Modi for his Facebook post as BSF, BGB personnel share sweets on Vijay Diwas
