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.
China signs comprehensive mutual visa exemption agreement with 24 countries
The United States has long been the major external factor affecting Haiti's security, stability, and development, said Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, on Monday, who also condemned the U.S. for exacerbating Haiti's economic challenges by imposing sweeping tariffs.
Speaking at a UN Security Council meeting, Geng expressed China's deep concern over Haiti's worsening crisis and rampant gang violence, its near-collapse state, and the desperate situation of its population.
For over a century, the United States has blatantly deployed troops, installed puppet governments, and manipulated Haiti's constitution, entrenching itself in Haiti's political affairs, said Geng.
He noted that just a year ago, the United States orchestrated the current political transition arrangements in Haiti. However, following a shift in its own government, the United States has turned a blind eye to that very transition, leaving Haiti mired in internal conflict and turmoil.
According to Geng, the United States has always been the main source of weapons for Haiti, allowing illegal weapons to flow into Haiti from Florida.
In October 2023, the United States spearheaded the formation of the Multinational Security Support Mission, pledging financial support. However, in the past year and more, its actual contributions have been relatively limited. At one point, the Untied States even attempted to convert the mission into a UN peacekeeping operation, citing a lack of funds, said Geng.
This is an apparent act to shift the burden onto the UN and its member states, treating them as little more than an ATM machine, Geng added.
Geng also highlighted the U.S. role in undermining Haiti's development.
While professing support for the Haitian people, the United States has significantly cut foreign aid and continued deporting Haitian immigrants on the pretext of national priorities when Haiti is in dire need of support, said the Chinese envoy. "What is even more shocking is that not long ago, while the United States defied world opinion by imposing sweeping tariffs on all trade partners, it also extended its so-called baseline tariff of 10 percent to Haiti, one of the world's least developed countries as defined by the UN. This act of unilateralism, protectionism, and economic bullying is not just aimed at the so-called competitors like China. It has also inflicted damage on a nation teetering on the edge of collapse, such as a fragile country like Haiti, where the people are in dire straits. This is not only cruel and absurd, but also profoundly heartbreaking," said Geng.
Chinese envoy slams US for negative role in Haiti's crisis
