Post by : Meena Ariff

Photo: AP

China is making it much easier for people from other countries to visit. This year, the Chinese government has changed its visa rules to a level never seen before. Now, people from 74 countries can visit China for up to 30 days without needing a visa. This is a huge change because, earlier, only a few countries had this benefit, and even then, only for short stays or under special agreements.

Why Did China Make This Change?

China wants to achieve three main goals with this new visa-free policy:

1. Bring Back Tourists
   • In recent years, especially during and after COVID-19, very few foreign tourists visited China.
   • Many tourism businesses, like hotels, restaurants, local shops, and tourist guides, suffered because of the low number of visitors.
   • Now, China wants to bring tourists back to make its tourism industry strong again.
2. Improve the Economy
   • When tourists come, they spend money on hotels, food, shopping, and travel.
   • This helps businesses earn money, creates new jobs for people, and improves the country’s economy.
3. Increase Soft Power
   • Soft power means becoming respected and liked by other countries because of culture, art, tourism, and friendly behaviour.
   • By making travel easier, China wants people from other countries to visit, enjoy, and share good experiences about China when they go back home.

How Many Tourists Are Visiting Now?

The National Immigration Administration said:

• In 2024, more than 20 million tourists visited China without a visa.
• This is almost one-third of all foreign visitors this year.
• It is also more than double the number from last year.

This shows that the new visa-free rule is working well, and more people feel confident to visit China.

What Are Tourists Saying?

Many tourists are happy with this decision because they no longer have to go through the long visa process. For example, Georgi Shavadze, a Georgian who lives in Austria, visited the Temple of Heaven in Beijing and said:

“This helps people to travel because it is such a hassle to apply for a visa and go through the process.”

This shows that tourists find visa-free travel easy and stress-free.

Which Countries Are Included?

The government has allowed visa-free travel for people from 74 countries. Some of these are:

• European countries like France, Germany, Spain, Italy, and Switzerland
• Asian countries like Japan, Singapore, and Thailand
• South American countries like Brazil and Argentina
• Others like Australia and New Zealand

This list is expected to grow in the future if the policy works well.

How is China Preparing for More Tourists?

Even though there are still more local Chinese tourists than foreign tourists at tourist places, travel companies and guides are preparing for a big increase in foreign tourists. They are:

• Hiring more tour guides who can speak different languages like English, Spanish, French, German, and Japanese
• Making signs and boards in English and Chinese so that tourists can understand directions easily
• Planning special tour packages for foreign tourists to visit places like:
  • The Great Wall of China
  • Forbidden City in Beijing
  • Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an
  • Scenic places like Guilin, Zhangjiajie, and Jiuzhaigou
• Training staff in hotels and restaurants to serve international guests better

What Do Foreign Tourists Want to See in China?

China is a very old country with thousands of years of history. Tourists are excited to see:

• Ancient monuments and temples, like the Great Wall and the Forbidden City
• Modern cities, like Shanghai with tall buildings and bright lights
• Beautiful natural places, like green mountains, rivers, and bamboo forests
• Traditional food, such as dumplings, Peking duck, noodles, hotpot, and Chinese tea
• Culture and art, like calligraphy, kung fu, dragon dance, and Chinese festivals

Why Was This Change Needed?

Before this new rule:

• People had to apply for a visa by filling out long forms, showing bank details, and waiting for weeks to get approval.
• Many people, especially tourists planning short trips, would cancel their plans because it was too stressful and expensive.

Now, with visa-free entry, people can:

• Decide to visit quickly without planning months in advance
• Save money spent on visa application fees
• Feel welcomed by China as a friendly tourist destination

What Impact Will This Have on China’s Economy?

Experts believe:

• Hotels, restaurants, local markets, taxi drivers, and shops will earn more money
• Airports, tourist buses, and railway stations will become busier, creating more jobs
• Local artisans selling traditional crafts and souvenirs will get more customers
• Cities will improve facilities to become tourist-friendly, making travel easier and safer

Future Plans for Tourism

If the number of tourists keeps increasing:

• China may add more countries to the visa-free list
• Travel companies may create new and unique tour experiences like learning kung fu, Chinese painting, or calligraphy classes
• Other countries may start similar visa-free policies for Chinese tourists, improving global tourism relations

With this historic visa-free rule, China has opened its doors wide to welcome the world. Tourists will not only enjoy China’s rich culture, history, and natural beauty but will also bring back stories of friendship, good food, and beautiful places. This will help China become one of the most popular travel destinations in the world in the coming years.