US EditionChina Extends Visa-Free Entry to More than 70 Countries
CHINA, JUL 9 – China will allow visa-free travel for 74 countries to boost tourism, excluding all African nations despite growing trade ties, with visitor numbers still below pre-pandemic levels.
- On July 16, China begins visa-free travel for 74 countries, excluding all African nations, aiming to boost tourism amid post-pandemic recovery efforts.
- China's visa-free expansions aim to revive tourism after 2023's 13.8 million visitors, despite excluding African countries, to boost economy and soft power.
- The National Immigration Administration reports 20 million visa-free entries in 2024, about one-third of total arrivals, doubling from the previous year.
- Tour operators report a 50% increase in bookings, with crowded landmarks like Beijing’s Temple of Heaven straining services amid rising visa-free arrivals, boosting tourism but also creating demand pressures.
- Despite removing trade tariffs on 53 African countries, none gained visa-free access, risking potential strains in China–Africa diplomatic relations.
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China sees surge in sales of duty-free goods amid inbound tourism boom
Major Chinese cities have reported a surge in purchases of tax-refundable goods by foreign tourists in recent months, as new duty-free rules designed to boost tourism spending begin to pay off. China has introduced a string of measures to make it easier for international tourists to buy goods duty-free in recent months, with visitors now often able to claim sales tax refunds immediately in stores rather than having to queue at the airport. The s…
·Hong Kong
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China expands visa-free entry to more than 70 countries to boost tourism, economy
Foreign tourists are trickling back to China after the country loosened its visa policy to unprecedented levels. Citizens from 74 countries can now enter China for up to 30 days without a visa, a big jump from previous regulations.
·Washington, United States
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Leaning Left4Leaning Right0Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution67% Left
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