Tourism and business travel must be boosted, hence the announcement on visa-free entry for nine more countries in China in order to get its economy out of the doldrums.
Starting from November 30, countries such as Bulgaria, Romania, Malta, Croatia, Montenegro and North Macedonia will get the opportunity for visa-free travel to China for up to 30 days, said Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian. It represents a large jump from the three countries allowed visa-free access to China prior to the pandemic, when such exemptions were never extended.
Japan’s Involvement Shows Softer Relationships
The inclusion of Japan signals that ties have thawed between the two countries which have had their fair share of disagreements, beginning from Taiwan. This comes after a September commitment to deliver on their nuclear dispute over Japan’s reprocessing of treated radioactive water from the Fukushima plant. Japan enjoyed visa-free access before the pandemic and the relaunch is a government priority in Japan. Sr. Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi mused how this could help improve communication between the two countries.
LOTO Extension & New Eligibility
Moreover, passport-free stay is also expanded from 15 days to 30 days by Lin Jian. The program is the first of its kind to allow visa-free travel for participants of exchange student,international student and cultural academic exchange programs. In line with China focusing on people-to-people exchanges to broaden diplomatic relations.
Post-Pandemic Reopening
China has been among travellers with the harshest entry restrictions during the pandemic and also someone that only partially lifted them compared to many others. In July 2023 Visa-free entry for Brunei/Singapore citizens was introduced and in December 2023 extended to another six, including France, Germany and Malaysia.
At this point, the latest expansion of China’s reopening is a part of its step by step transition back. In July to September 2024, China received a total of 8.2 million foreign entries with about 4.9 million getting visa-free benefits. It serves a wider purpose directly in the extension of global connections and helping the economy recover.
