China has witnessed a significant increase in inbound visitors following the implementation of a new visa-free policy. In December 2023, approximately 214,000 people from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia entered the Chinese mainland, marking a 28.5 percent rise compared to November, according to the National Immigration Administration (NIA).
The visa-free policy, which came into effect on December 1, allows ordinary passport holders from these six countries to enter China without a visa. Of the inbound trips, 118,000 were made by ordinary passport holders without visas, accounting for 55.1 percent of all entries from these countries during this period. Around 91,000 of these visa-free entries were for travel and business purposes.
The southern city of Nanning has emerged as a popular entry point, welcoming 121 inbound travel groups totaling nearly 2,800 people in December. Meanwhile, ports in Beijing recorded over 12,000 visa-free entries from the relevant countries by December 31.
The NIA has pledged to further optimize entry-exit management policies to facilitate business, study, work, and life for foreigners in China. This development signals China’s commitment to enhancing international exchanges and economic cooperation amid a global recovery in travel and tourism.
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Inbound visitor numbers jump as China's visa-free policy takes effect
cgtn.com
