In a bid to boost the economy after the economic slump, China on Friday slashed visa fees for travellers from countries including Thailand, Japan, Mexico, Vietnam and the Philippines from December 11 this year until December 31, 2024, according to the Chinese embassy.
The move is seen as the latest in a series of measures China has taken recently to boost its economy, including encouraging inbound travel by foreign tourists and business people.
Last month, China announced it would temporarily waive visa requirements for citizens of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia to visit the world’s second-largest economy in a bid to boost post-pandemic tourism.
From 1 December to 30 November next year, citizens of these countries entering China for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends or transiting for no more than 15 days will not need a visa, a foreign ministry spokesman said.
China has taken steps in recent months – including reopening international air routes – to revive its tourism sector after three years of strict COVID-19 measures that largely closed its borders to the outside world. The government is also trying to rebuild its global image after clashing with many Western countries over a range of issues including COVID, human rights, Taiwan and trade.
In October this year, China extended its visa-free transit policy to 54 countries, including citizens of Norway. In August, China abolished all COVID testing requirements for incoming travellers. In July, it resumed 15-day visa-free entry for citizens of Singapore and Brunei.
While recovering more slowly than domestic services, international flights in and out of the country have picked up.
The Civil Aviation Administration of China said in October that 16,680 weekly flights were expected from November to March, with passenger flights expected to reach 71% of the total four years ago.
