China's foreign ministry has announced that it will be conducting a trial period of visa-free travel for citizens from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia.
Starting in December and lasting until November 30, 2024, individuals holding ordinary passports from these countries will be able to engage in business activities or travel within China for a duration of up to 15 days without the requirement of a visa.
This initiative, as stated by spokeswoman Mao Ning, aims to foster China's high-quality development and promote its commitment to openness. Currently, the majority of travellers entering China are required to obtain a visa, making this visa-free trial a notable exception. Singaporean and Bruneian citizens are already exempt from visa requirements when visiting China for purposes such as business, tourism, family visits, or transit, with a maximum stay of 15 days.
It was only in March that China resumed the issuance of all visa types, following strict travel restrictions imposed in March 2020 due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Over three years, China implemented some of the world's most stringent COVID-19 containment measures, including travel restrictions, frequent testing, and numerous lockdowns. The country's zero-COVID policy, which had a significant impact on its economy, was finally lifted in December of last year.
Before the pandemic, China welcomed tens of millions of international visitors annually, making this trial of visa-free travel a potential boost for the recovery of its tourism industry and overall international engagement.
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