China's new visa-free policy for ordinary passport holders from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia has significantly increased the number of inbound visitors. According to the National Immigration Administration (NIA), around 214,000 individuals entered China in December 2023, marking a 28.5% rise compared to November.
Out of these, approximately 118,000 were visa-free travelers, constituting 55.1% of all inbound trips from the six countries during this period. Specifically, about 91,000 of these entries were made for travel and business purposes.
The southern city of Nanning emerged as a popular entry point, welcoming 121 inbound travel groups totaling nearly 2,800 people in December alone. Additionally, ports in Beijing recorded over 12,000 visa-free entries from the designated countries since the policy's introduction.
The NIA has committed to further optimizing entry and exit management policies to support foreigners in their business, study, work, and daily lives in China. This move is part of China's broader strategy to enhance its attractiveness as a global destination for tourists and business travelers.
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Inbound visitor numbers jump as China's visa-free policy takes effect
cgtn.com
