In December, China made a significant move by introducing visa-free entry for citizens of five European countries and Malaysia. As part of its ongoing efforts to boost business and tourism, China has expanded this list to include two more European nations.

New Additions to the Visa-Free List

By joining the ranks of citizens from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia, Irish and Swiss nationals can now enter China without a visa. This announcement was made during the visit of Chinese Premier Li Qiang to Europe, where he attended the prestigious World Economic Forum in Davos.

The primary goal of this initiative is to "facilitate the high-quality development of Chinese and foreign personnel exchanges and high-level opening up to the outside world," as stated by Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning during a briefing in November.

Under the trial program, visa-free entry will be granted for a maximum of 15 days, and this policy will remain in effect for one year.

Challenges in International Travel Recovery

Despite these positive developments, international travel to China has yet to recover fully. The strict pandemic measures, including mandatory quarantines for all arrivals, discouraged many travellers from visiting for nearly three years. Although these restrictions were lifted early last year, international travel has yet to reach the levels seen before the pandemic.

China had previously allowed Brunei, Japan, and Singapore citizens to enter without a visa, but this was suspended after the COVID-19 outbreak. While visa-free entry was reinstated for Brunei and Singapore in July, it has yet to be extended to Japan.

In 2023, China recorded 35.5 million entries and exits by foreigners, a significant drop compared to the 97.7 million recorded in 2019, the year before the pandemic.

Foreign Investment and Business Visitors

The Chinese government has been actively seeking foreign investment to boost its economy. Some business leaders, including Elon Musk of Tesla and Tim Cook of Apple, have visited China for trade fairs and meetings. However, foreign tourists remain a rare sight compared to the pre-pandemic period.

Simplified Travel for Europeans

In recent years, China has witnessed a surge in interest as a tourist destination among Europeans. Online travel agency Trip.com reported a remarkable 663 per cent increase in overall bookings from Europe to China compared to 2022. This represents a nearly 29 per cent increase compared to 2019.

Data highlights that the United Kingdom and Germany are among the top 10 sources of inbound travellers to China globally. European travellers continue to favour cities like Shanghai, with its unique blend of modernity and tradition, followed by Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen.

Emerging destinations include Sanya, a picturesque beachside city on the southern tip of Hainan Island, and Chengdu, the vibrant capital of Sichuan province in southwestern China.

China's Efforts to Attract Tourists

In addition to its new visa-free policies, China actively encourages inbound tourism. This includes promoting its rich cultural and historical attractions in collaboration with Trip.com. Furthermore, China is investing in tourism infrastructure, technology, travel guides, and e-payment systems to enhance the overall travel experience for visitors.

FAQs

Who can enter China without a visa?

Citizens of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Ireland, and Switzerland can enter China without a visa under the visa-free program.

How long is visa-free entry allowed?

Visa-free entry is granted for up to 15 days under the trial program.

Why did China introduce visa-free entry for certain countries?

China introduced this policy to facilitate high-quality development of Chinese and foreign personnel exchanges and to encourage high-level opening up to the outside world.

Has international travel to China fully recovered from the pandemic?

International travel to China has yet to recover fully due to the impact of pandemic-related restrictions.

Which cities in China are popular among European tourists?

Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Sanya, and Chengdu are popular destinations for European tourists in China.

How is China promoting tourism and improving infrastructure?

China is partnering with travel agencies like Trip.com to promote cultural and historical attractions. Additionally, the country is investing in technology, travel guides, and e-payment systems to enhance the tourism infrastructure.