China is making it easier for people from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia to visit without needing a visa. From December 1st this year until November 30th, 2024, citizens from these countries can come to China for things like tourism, business, or visiting family and friends for up to 15 days without a visa.
This change is part of China’s efforts to boost tourism after strict COVID-19 measures kept borders closed for three years. They’ve been reopening international flight routes and making it simpler for people to visit.
China also wants to improve its global image, especially after disagreements with Western nations on issues like COVID-19, human rights, Taiwan, and trade. A survey showed that many people around the world have negative views of China, with concerns that China interferes in other countries’ affairs without considering their interests.
Recently, China extended its visa-free policy to citizens of 54 countries, including Norway, and removed COVID-19 testing requirements for incoming travelers. They’ve gradually resumed visa-free entry for citizens of Singapore and Brunei.
While international flights are slowly recovering compared to domestic ones, China’s aviation authorities expect a significant increase in weekly flights over the next few months, aiming to reach around 71% of the pre-pandemic total.