China has rolled out a groundbreaking visa-free policy for ordinary passport holders from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia. Initiated on November 24, with a trial period running from December 1, 2023, to November 30, 2024, this policy allows travelers from these six countries to enter China without a visa for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, and transit purposes for up to 15 days.
French tourist Dorey shared his enthusiasm during an interview at Guangzhou Baiyun Airport, stating, \"China's food is delicious, its culture is very good, and its attractions and people are very nice. The visa-free policy is very practical and friendly. I hoped to have such an opportunity a few years ago.\" His sentiment echoes the experiences of many who have taken advantage of the new policy.
Since the beginning of 2024, over 104,000 visits from France to China have been recorded for business engagements, tourism exploration, and family visits, marking a staggering 295 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023, according to China's National Immigration Administration. Additionally, the number of Chinese visitors to France has surged to 130,000, a notable 215 percent rise from the corresponding period last year.
The visa-free policy has significantly bolstered exchange and communication between the two nations. As of April 30, 74,000 French visitors have benefited from the policy, accounting for 60 percent of the total number of French visits to China.
French traveler Sahut Antoine expressed his appreciation at Nanjing Lukou International Airport, saying, \"The main reason I love China is the efficient and convenient business environment here, which makes everything we do in China pleasantly surprising.\" He added, \"China's immigration services have always been very efficient and effective. I believe that after the implementation of the visa-free policy, entry into China will be even more convenient, which will benefit everyone visiting China and exploring the country, thereby establishing better connections.\"
The positive impact of the visa-free policy is also evident at major transportation hubs. International passenger flow at Shanghai Pudong International Airport has shown significant recovery, attributed to the new policy implemented on December 1, 2023.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
