China has introduced unilateral visa-free policies for 29 countries, including France and Germany, in a strategic move to boost international travel and economic ties, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs official announced on Friday.
At a press conference detailing measures to promote foreign trade, Tong Xuejun, an official from the ministry’s consular department, stated that China has achieved full visa exemption with 25 countries. “Under the new policy, eligible individuals can enter China without needing to apply for a visa in advance, allowing stays of up to 15 days for business, tourism, family visits, or transit,” Tong explained.
In November 2023, the ministry unveiled a unilateral visa-free entry trial for ordinary passport holders from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia, effective from December 1, 2023. The initiative has since expanded in different phases, reflecting China’s commitment to facilitating cross-border travel.
Streamlining the visa application process further, the ministry has reduced the number of items on the visa application form by 34 percent, significantly cutting down the time required for paperwork. Additionally, China has canceled the need for appointments prior to visa applications at all its embassies, expanded exemptions for fingerprint collection, and reduced visa fees by 25 percent.
The impact of these measures is evident in the third quarter of 2024, where China recorded 8.19 million inbound trips by foreigners—a 48.8 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Of these, 4.89 million entries were through visa-free arrangements, marking a 78.6 percent year-on-year rise.
“The ministry will continue to refine the visa-free entry policy to facilitate cross-border travel, especially for those engaged in business activities,” Tong emphasized.
These developments signify China’s ongoing efforts to strengthen international relationships and stimulate its economy by encouraging foreign investment and tourism.
Reference(s):
MOFA: China implements unilateral visa-free policy for 29 countries
cgtn.com
