China's city of Xi'an, the eastern starting point of the ancient Silk Road, held a cultural exchange activity Monday evening.
It was one of the activities of the Belt and Road Forum for International Think Tank Cooperation and the Second Silk Road (Xi'an) International Communication Forum.
Around 300 former politicians, think tank experts, media organization leaders and public figures were invited to join the forum held in Xi'an, capital city of northwest China's Shaanxi Province.
Named "Chang'an Night Gala", the event showed traditional etiquette of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), when Xi'an was called Chang'an.
"We visited several places in Xi'an yesterday. What impressed me most were the Terracotta Warriors, which made me feel like traveling to the ancient times of China. I saw their appearances both before and after restoration. Through them, I sensed the strength of China," said Juliet Ebele Nwekeorji, a guest from Nigeria.
"This is my first time to Xi'an. It has been a very, very wonderful experience. I've learnt so many new things. I appreciate deeply the Chinese commitment to preserving their culture," said Petra Fiona, a guest from Antigua and Barbuda.
Xi'an, a city founded more than 3,100 years ago, served as the capital for 13 dynasties in Chinese history.
This is also the place where Chinese envoy Zhang Qian began his journey to the Western regions during the Western Han Dynasty (202 B.C.- A.D. 25). Zhang's pioneering expedition opened up a route that later became the ancient Silk Road.
Ancient Silk Road city holds cultural exchange event
Local residents and business community in Slovenia say they welcome China's visa-free policy arrangement with their country, which came into effect on Tuesday.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, from October 15, 2024 to December 31, 2025, ordinary passport holders from Portugal, Greece, Cyprus and Slovenia do not need a visa to enter China for business, tourism, family visit and transit purposes for up to 15 days.
For some in Slovenia, easing restrictions on travel to China is a very welcome policy change and one that is expected to be a significant step forward in fostering connections between the two countries.
"For almost 30 years, we have been talking about how we could reduce the burden of administration and bureaucracy in securing visas, and this is certainly a long way forward! People were discouraged by the idea that they had to make arrangements two or three weeks in advance, " said Igor Podgorsek, a local tour guide.
Slovenia is a beautiful country that every year attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists from around the world. Slovenians themselves love to travel, and a visa-free agreement makes travel to China more attractive than ever.
Sanela Ksela is a local entrepreneur who has traveled over a dozen times to China, documenting her adventures on video.
Ksela welcomes the new visa policy, as she looks forward to her next trip in just a few months.
"First time when I went to China in 2013, I just fell in love with it and also with the Chinese language, and it was just something that I recognized it is going to be my path in my life. I think that if we would have a direct flight from Ljubljana to China, it would benefit and make also my life easier and traveling easier to China," said Ksela.
It is not only tourists looking forward to easier travel. The business community in Slovenia is also optimistic about the new arrangement.
Slovenia's economy is export-oriented, and it is hoped easier business travel could be a shot-in-the-arm for trade.
"Visa-free travel could improve the competitiveness by allowing Slovenian companies faster response to the market demand and, of course, quicker site visit and better engagement with the potential Chinese partner," said Marjana Majeric, executive manager of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia.
The new visa-free policy is expected to unlock new business opportunities for both countries.
Prior to these four countries, China had extended its unilateral visa-free policy to travelers holding ordinary passport from 15 other countries, including France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland, starting from December 2023.
Slovenian residents, business community welcome China's visa-free policy
