"Laowai" in China | China's further opening up enhances experience of foreign visitors, businesses

BEIJING, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- As the 2,500-year-old Confucian proverb goes, "It is such a joy to have friends coming from afar."

China welcomes people from all over the world to experience its charm and share in the dividends of its development.

Whether wandering the Central Axis of Beijing, marveling at the towering natural pillars of Zhangjiajie that inspired Avatar or immersing themselves in the urban cyberpunk vibe of Chongqing, travelers are enjoying a new wave of discovery and cultural connection unseen in years.

This surge in travel is largely attributed to China's updated visa policies, particularly the expansion of visa exemptions introduced to boost global mobility. 

China announced on Dec. 17, 2024 a significant relaxation of its visa-free transit policy, aiming to further boost international openness and people-to-people exchanges.

The National Immigration Administration (NIA) said the permitted stay for eligible foreign travelers has been extended from the previous 72 and 144 hours to 240 hours, or 10 days.

The move also includes a substantial expansion of designated ports and travel regions, enhancing flexibility for international visitors.

Under the updated policy, eligible citizens from 54 countries, including Russia, Brazil, Britain, the United States and Canada, can enter China visa-free when transiting to a third country or region. These travelers can now enter through any of the 60 ports across 24 provincial-level regions -- up from 39 ports in 19 provincial-level regions -- and stay within the designated areas for up to 240 hours.

Complementing other visa initiatives -- such as regional visa exemptions, unilateral visa waivers and mutual visa agreements -- the measures aim to promote inbound tourism, facilitate business exchanges and enhance China's global openness, according to the officials.

As of the end of November 2024, China had granted unilateral visa-free entry to travelers from 38 nations, allowing stays of up to 30 days.

It has also made a series of policies facilitating foreigners to visit and live in China, triggering a trendy "China Travel" keyword on major online platforms.

"China Travel" enables people from around the world to have a direct appreciation of the development achievements of Chinese modernization, and experience the charm of Chinese culture, the new scenes of life-changing technology, the beautiful life of Chinese urban and rural residents, and the ecological advancement in China.

China recorded nearly 29.22 million inbound foreign visits between January and November 2024, up 86.2 percent year on year. Of these, 17.45 million visitors entered the country visa-free, marking a massive 123.3 percent increase from the previous year.

China has also implemented measures to make it more convenient for foreigners to visit, work, and live in the country.

Chinese cities and provinces such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangdong have improved their mobile payment, bank card and cash services, as well as services that increase the ease of online shopping and transportation for foreign visitors.

These efforts underscore the country's dedication to global exchanges and mobility, and reaffirm its commitment to greater openness as the world's second-largest economy.

International business people have seen more opportunities in China. As the country presses forward with its high-quality opening-up policies, an enormous boost is widely expected in global trade, investment, and people-to-people exchanges.

An ever opening up China is a tremendous boon for the rest of the world, adding impetus to global economic recovery especially amid the evolving and turbulent international landscape.