When international travelers began arriving in China in early 2023 following a three-year COVID-19 hiatus, many may have found that routine daily tasks posed challenges. Because they were more at ease with cash and credit cards and were unfamiliar with Chinese apps, they experienced difficulties performing tasks such as paying with QR codes and booking museum tickets online.
But China is making efforts to address the inconveniences international visitors may face during their stay. The new initiatives are making travel around China, and within its cities, simpler and more convenient.
Alipay and Weixin Pay, China’s two major digital payment services, now allow users to link international credit cards, including Visa and Mastercard. This feature makes it possible for visitors to make mobile payments in a similar way to locals. At the same time, China is diversifying its means of payment to provide tailored services for visitors from abroad. E-wallets popular in other countries can now be used in China; an increasing number of businesses are upgrading their payment systems to begin accepting international credit cards; and cash exchange services are being made more accessible.
While the major ride-hailing app Didi Chuxing has a user-friendly English interface, museums and other attractions have been called on to provide multilingual booking services on their websites. They are also encouraged to keep in-person ticketing services in place.
In December last year, China introduced a trial visa-free policy for visitors from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia. Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium and Luxembourg were added to the list in March this year.
In December 2023, the Central Economic Work Conference, which outlined steps the government will take to steer the country’s economy toward greater efficiency and higher quality in 2024, reiterated the call for expanding high-standard opening up. It was promised at this conference that Chinese authorities will work to resolve difficulties people from other countries may encounter when they come to China for business, studies and sightseeing.
This promise is being honored and China is enthusiastically welcoming visitors from all over of the world. With continued efforts from the government as well as business and cultural sectors, the China travel experience will only become more enjoyable over the coming months. –The Daily Mail-Beijing Review news exchange item
