Following a series of announcements made since the beginning of 2024, China has extended the visa-free travel arrangement for citizens of 11 European countries and Malaysia until the end of 2025. This extension is part of a broader effort to stimulate both business and leisure visits to China and support high-quality personnel exchanges.
The visa-free policy, initially intended to last for one year, will now continue for another year, allowing citizens from Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, and Malaysia to benefit from this extended privilege.
The spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry, Mao Ning, highlighted during a briefing that this initiative supports the high-quality development of personnel exchanges and a higher level of openness to international visitors. Travelers from these countries will be eligible for up to 15 days of visa-free stay under this trial program.
Despite lifting strict pandemic-related measures early last year, international travel to China has not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels. The resumption of visa-free access is seen as a critical step towards revitalizing the travel sector, which saw a drastic decline due to prolonged entry restrictions and quarantines. In 2023, China saw a significant drop in the number of entries and exits by foreigners, with 35.5 million recorded, down from 97.7 million in 2019.
In response, the Chinese government has been actively seeking foreign investment and promoting business-related visits to boost the economy. High-profile business leaders like Elon Musk and Tim Cook have participated in trade fairs and business meetings within China, although foreign tourists are still less common than before the pandemic.
There has been a noticeable surge in bookings from Europe to China, with a 663 percent increase reported by Trip.com compared to the previous year, and a nearly 29 percent increase from 2019 levels. The UK and Germany rank among the top ten sources of inbound travelers to China. Cities like Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen remain popular, while Sanya and Chengdu are gaining attention as emerging tourist destinations.
China is not only relying on relaxed visa regulations to attract European travelers but is also enhancing its tourism appeal through improved infrastructure, such as technology enhancements, travel guides, and e-payment systems. Partnerships with companies like Trip.com to promote cultural and historical attractions are also part of this strategic approach to boost inbound tourism.
