In an effort to revitalize its struggling tourism industry and stimulate economic growth, China is set to expand its visa-free entry program to more countries, according to a plan released by the State Council on Monday.
The government’s proposal aims to enhance tourism by allowing citizens from additional nations to enter China without a visa. While the State Council emphasized that the implementation will proceed in an “orderly manner,” it did not specify a timeline or reveal which countries will benefit from the new policy.
This initiative follows last year’s historic decision to relax visa requirements for several countries, a move that has yet to produce the expected surge in foreign visitors. Despite these efforts, a Bloomberg News analysis found that foreign arrivals to China totaled just under 23 million during the first three quarters of 2024, which is only 63% of the same period in 2019, when visa-free access was more limited.
Currently, citizens from 38 countries enjoy visa-free travel to China, and the country has also eased entry rules for transit passengers.
Additionally, the State Council announced plans to encourage local governments to offer tourism vouchers and issue special bonds aimed at supporting cultural and tourism projects, further boosting domestic spending in the sector.– Bloomberg
