BEIJING: The new visa-free policy that took effect on Dec 1 has led to rapid growth of inbound travelers with Chongqing, an inland municipality, seeing about 600 people entering the country through its ports in the first 10 days, a month-on-month increase of nearly 30 percent.
Under the policy, ordinary passport holders from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia are now able to enjoy visa-free travel to China for up to 15 days.
In just 10 days, visa-free entry from these six countries accounted for more than half of the inbound visitors, according to the Exit-Entry Management Corps of Chongqing Public Security Bureau.
Chongqing, a megacity with over 32 million people on the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, has become a hot destination in recent years with its unique mountainous landscape, delicious local cuisine and rich history dating back 3,000 years.
The policy, with a trial period from Dec 1, 2023, to Nov 30, 2024, was widely viewed as a boost to inbound tourism for China and international exchanges.
Li Yike used to study in France and married a Frenchman. The couple moved to Chongqing in 2010 and they now work in Sino-France cultural exchanges and trade.
“ (The visa-free policy) is good news for us, especially for my husband’s family in France,” she said. “Now they are planning a trip to Chongqing.” She said that in the past, it would take a lot of preparation and paperwork to apply for a visitor visa to China. –The Daily Mail-China Daily news exchange item
