China has officially welcomed its first visa-free travelers from Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, and Slovenia as of October 15, 2024. This new policy allows citizens from these countries to enter China without a visa for up to 15 days for purposes such as tourism, business, family visits, and transit. The visa exemption will remain in effect until December 31, 2025.
The announcement was made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China. Prior to this extension, China had already granted similar visa-free access to travelers from 15 other nations, including France, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland, starting in December 2023.
Upon arrival in Beijing, a Greek tourist expressed excitement about the trip: “It’s my first time here. We came for an exhibition at the National Museum of Beijing. From the airport, it looks big and impressive.” A visitor from Portugal added, “It’s my first visit to China without a visa. The process was quick and easy.”
Since the start of the year, Beijing’s ports have seen an influx of 1.76 million foreign travelers, marking a 154% increase compared to the same period last year.
The launch of the visa-free policy coincides with the opening day of the 136th China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair. This major international trade event is hosted in Guangzhou and attracts thousands of overseas business representatives.
A Greek tourist arriving in Shenzhen noted their intention to visit the Canton Fair: “It’s my first day as a Greek citizen visiting China. Traveling here is very comfortable.” Many travelers from the newly added countries are sharing their positive experiences online, leading to increased interest in “China Travel” on social media.
Visitors from these nations have started arriving in significant numbers due to the new visa-free policy. A tourist from Cyprus stated, “We came for vacation for ten days. I want to thank the Chinese government for this opportunity.” Another Greek traveler remarked on their plans to visit multiple cities: “I’m going to Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Wuhan. It’s wonderful news.”
A Portuguese tourist shared a fortunate experience regarding their travel plans: “We were ready with all our visa paperwork, but when we reached the embassy, they told us it was no longer needed because we arrived on the 15th. It was perfect timing.”
Statistics from customs in Shenzhen reveal that over 40,000 foreigners have passed through the West Kowloon Station since early October, with nearly half traveling for business purposes. The number of passengers using the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong High-Speed Railway has surpassed 21 million this year alone—a 42.3% increase compared to last year.
The expansion of China’s visa-free policy is part of a broader effort to enhance international travel and trade relations under initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative.
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