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China has introduced new visa-waiver systems and promises to make it easier for foreigners to travel, but demanding situations remain.
By Vivian Wang
Report from Shanghai
In a way, visiting China has been easier.
China has made wonderful efforts to attract foreign tourists in recent months. It has a visa waiver program for dozens of countries, and the list continues to grow. He pledged to do so so that visitors pay, book hotels and get around.
The aim is to show that China is open for business (and fun!). Once again, after three years of pandemic controls, it has literally been for the maximum number of foreigners to enter. The government is mainly concerned with attracting visitors while trying to revive growth.
China also wants to show that it remains connected to the world, despite tensions with the West and the growing success of its security apparatus on its territory.
In a sign of its enthusiasm, Beijing introduced visa waivers to countries that did not do the same upon return, a rare move for a government that insists on reciprocity.
But traveling to China can still be a significant challenge. Here’s what you want to know:
China unilaterally gives visa-free access for 15 days to citizens of a gigantic number of countries, basically Western European countries such as France, Germany and Spain. The program was launched in December and has continued to grow; Australia, New Zealand and Poland were included last month and are expected to last until 2025.
In addition, citizens of more than 50 countries, including the United States, are now eligible for visa-free transit. They can enter China for 72 or 144 hours, depending on their port of entry, if they continue on to their destinations.
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