China sees increasing elderly overseas tourists following improved policies, services

An increasing influx of elderly overseas travelers now choose to spend some of their post-retirement time traveling in China as the country keeps improving its visa policies and tourism services.

With more elderly travelers coming to China from abroad, the country's inbound tourism market has experienced significant growth. In the first seven months of this year, the country received about six million visits from foreign travelers, marking an over-400-percent increase year on year, according to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China.

Six Dutch tourists recently visited Xi'an City in northwest China's Shaanxi Province to see the terracotta warriors at the site of Emperor Qin Shihuang's Mausoleum.

They are all above the age of 60 and most of them came to China for the very first time. Wilco Poppeliers, one of the travelers, said he has long been expecting this travel and he could only make it after his retirement.

"I think it was very [much] on my bucket list still to visit China. Now I'm retired, I have the time to travel to visit places like this," he said.

For elderly couples from Mongolia, Chinese destinations also maintained strong attraction. Altogether 12 of them have an average age of about 60, with the oldest already 88.

"China is just next to Mongolia. I have visited many places in China like Wutaishan, Zhangjiajie, Hohhot, and Beijing. China has been developing very fast," said one of the tourists.

Along the Lijiang River, famous for its karst landscapes, some 30 overseas tourists recently visited the riverside Moya cliff sculptures and inscription.

The elders said they have been traveling around China before arriving at the cliff site in the southern city of Guilin, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

"We have traveled around the country and visited a wide range of cities. The travels were very smooth and convenient," said Marcia Akemi Fujinami, a visitor from Brazil.

The rich cultural heritage is what attracts him to China, said Fabrizio, an Italian tourist, adding that visiting the country has been easier as now there are many flights between Europe and China.

"Traveling to China is nowadays quite simple. There are a lot of flights coming from Europe. China is one of the countries with the largest number of UNESCO heritage places in the world. So we are very happy about visiting this country," he said.

China has been promoting inbound travels by accelerating the resumption of flights and improving tourism services for travelers from abroad. Scenic spots across the country have also been facilitating visits for international tourists while enhancing the quality of their products.

With improved visa policies, customs clearance policies, and more payment options, including cash payment, QR code and bank cards, overseas visitors can now enter and enjoy better services in China.

China sees increasing elderly overseas tourists following improved policies, services

China sees increasing elderly overseas tourists following improved policies, services

Namibian President Nangolo Mbumba has encouraged China and other countries facing false narratives propagated by Western powers to embrace their own histories in order to move forward.

In an exclusive interview with China Media Group (CMG) aired on Friday, Mbumba called out Western scholars and commentators who have painted China as a "neo-imperialist" power rather than a country intent on pursuing peaceful development.

The president rejected this framing, stressing that China and African countries have fought shoulder-to-shoulder against imperialism and colonialism. That history, he said, should not be forgotten amid international efforts to pursue common development.

"I think one thing we must understand -- honoring your history. Honoring the history of the former leaders and honoring the culture and history of your own country come in many ways. Some people write about it. Some people invent things about it. Some people will produce energy, food and other things. Some other people respect and protect their own country, whether it is with their harbors or space or land or air. So, respect comes in many ways," Mbumba said.

"The 'amnesia' is the jealousy. We must admit that some people are just jealous of what China has become in such a short time getting so many millions of people out of poverty and hunger and putting them on par with the rest of the developed countries. But ours now is to make sure that we cooperate in the development around the economies, in the training of our people, in providing health to our people. You are now free, behave like free people and develop. Choose your friends and talk to your friends the way you want to talk and not to be told who to talk to and who not to engage with," added the Namibian president.

Honoring of history vital to overcoming false Western narratives: Namibian president