China has signed comprehensive mutual visa exemption agreements with 24 countries, demonstrating its commitment to fostering a more convenient and inviting environment for international travelers, said Foreign Affairs Ministry Spokeswoman Mao Ning at a regular press briefing on Tuesday.
During the week-long National Day holiday that just concluded, inbound travel orders surged by approximately 60 percent from the previous year, with numerous Chinese cities emerging as popular destinations for tourists worldwide, as reported by various travel platforms.
"The increasing popularity of 'China tour' reflects the country's growing appeal and openness. China has now enjoyed comprehensive mutual visa exemption with 24 countries, implemented visa-free entry policies for 16 countries, and offered 72-hour or 144-hour visa-free transit for citizens of 54 countries. The immigration procedure for foreign tourists to China has been continuously simplified, and their experiences within the country have been constantly optimized. As far as I know, Beijing has introduced the 'Service Guide for First-time Visitors to Beijing', which systematically provides information on various life services. Shanghai has equipped taxis and metro stations with international card payment devices, and eight cities, including Chengdu and Xi'an, are also piloting new measures to facilitate payment for visitors to China," said Mao. "China will open up further to the world and enhance entry-exit facilitation. We welcome more friends from around the world to travel to China, enjoy the beautiful scenery, and feel the charm of China," said Mao.