China planning to extend visa-free entry to more countries
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Tourists still are not going to China in the numbers the government had hoped.
PHOTO: AFP
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BEIJING – China aims to expand unilateral visa-free entry to more countries, according to a plan released on Jan 13 by the State Council, as the government tries to give the flagging tourism industry and economy a boost.
The Cabinet said the plan would be implemented in “an orderly manner”, but it did not provide a timeframe or say which countries would qualify.
The move would build on China’s unprecedented decision in 2024 to ease visa requirements for dozens of countries
Tourists still are not coming in the numbers the government had hoped. A Bloomberg News analysis showed that foreign visitor entries to China totalled just under 23 million in the first three quarters of 2024, or about 63 per cent of that in the same period in 2019, when only a handful of places had visa-free rights.
Visa-free travel is now possible for citizens of 38 countries, while China has also relaxed entry rules for transit passengers.
The State Council also said on Jan 13 that it is encouraging local governments to offer vouchers to drive tourism spending, as well as arrange special bonds to support cultural and tourism projects. BLOOMBERG
