China Opens Doors with Visa-Free Entry Trial for Tourists From 6 Countries
In a major easing of COVID-era travel restrictions, China has launched a one-year visa-free entry trial for nationals of six countries in Europe and Southeast Asia. Starting December 1st through November 30th, 2024, ordinary passport holders from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia can enter mainland China without visas for visits up to 15 days.
The move aims to boost tourism and economic activity as China looks towards greater opening post-pandemic, said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning in announcing the plan on November 18th. Currently, most foreign travelers require Chinese visas, with only select countries like Singapore and Brunei exempt for short-term business and tourism.
Prior to 2020, tens of millions visited China annually. But authorities ceased issuing most visas that year after imposing some of the world’s strictest COVID limitations, decimating tourism numbers. Lockdowns, travel restrictions between provinces, mass testing, and other stringent containment measures prevailed for nearly three years until curbs were finally lifted this past December.
While vital for minimizing China’s pandemic death toll, zero-COVID dealt harsh economic blows and disrupted trade flows, education exchanges and more. It also spurred occasional public frustration over the tight controls on freedom of movement.
Officials are now trying to stimulate China’s economy and reconnect with other nations. Restarting international tourism plays a key role, and the new visa-free policy aims to entice visitors from some of China’s largest source markets for arrivals.
The selected countries also rank among major trade partners that China hopes to strengthen outreach towards amid global realignments. Improved mobility builds goodwill and deepens person-to-person ties as geopolitical frictions challenge relations with Western governments in areas like human rights.
By rebooting tourism channels, China repairs past isolationist damage while answering domestic calls for greater openness. While the six countries benefit this round, analysts expect the streamlined entry policy to later expand more broadly if successful during its pilot phase.
For both Chinese and foreigners excited to reconnect in-person, visa-free access helps spark hope of rediscovering historical bonds of trade and friendship through tourism’s soft diplomacy. 15-day jaunts are long enough to enrich cultural appreciation between visitors and hosts seeking mutual understanding.
