China Extends Visa Exemption for 12 Countries Until 2025: Boosting Tourism and Fostering Global Engagement

China's recent announcement to extend its visa-free policy for citizens of 12 countries until the end of 2025 marks a significant move aimed at boosting inbound tourism and fostering people-to-people exchanges. This decision, revealed during a joint press meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, underscores China's commitment to openness and its determination to enhance global engagement.

The 12 countries benefiting from this extension include France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg. Citizens from these nations will be able to visit China for business, sightseeing, transit, and other purposes for up to 15 days without the need for a visa.

China's efforts to facilitate foreign visits have already shown promising results, with trips by foreign nationals increasing by a staggering 305.2 percent year-on-year in the first quarter, according to the National Immigration Administration. Specifically, the number of visa-free foreigners entering China reached 1.98 million, representing a 266.1 percent increase compared to the previous year.

The extension of the short-term visa-free policy is expected to further stimulate enthusiasm for traveling to China and contribute to the growth of inbound tourism. Dai Bin, President of the China Tourism Academy, highlighted the positive impact of this move, emphasizing its role in bolstering industry prosperity and showcasing China's unwavering commitment to openness.

Travel agencies have already witnessed a surge in bookings to China following the implementation of the visa-free policy for French citizens. With the extension of this policy, a further increase in bookings is anticipated, appealing to a broader demographic of travelers, including young people.

Moreover, as the Olympic Games approach, there has been a notable rise in bookings from Chinese tourists, particularly for small group travel products. To meet growing demand, travel agencies are diversifying their offerings, such as launching two-day tours in Provence departing from Paris.

In addition to extending the visa-free period, China is actively promoting the opening and resumption of international routes to facilitate increased movement of people. Direct flights between Shanghai and Marseille are set to commence on July 2, providing a vital air passage between the two sister cities. Similarly, Bahrain will open direct flights to China starting May 28, with direct flights between China and Mexico resuming on May 11.

The expansion of air routes not only enhances convenience for travelers but also lowers travel costs, thus fostering the growth of inbound tourism. This concerted effort sends a clear message of China's willingness to facilitate international exchanges and welcome visitors from around the world.

By implementing more open policies in areas such as visas, air routes, and payment convenience, China aims to boost consumption, drive economic growth, and foster cultural exchanges. Analysts predict that with the upcoming China-US high-level dialogue on tourism and various activities under the Kazakhstan tourism year in China and the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism, inbound and outbound tourism will rebound to pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2024 or early 2025.

In conclusion, China's extension of its visa exemption policy reflects its commitment to global engagement and tourism development, paving the way for enhanced cultural exchanges and deeper understanding between nations.