China welcomes first group of visa-free tourists from South Korea

South Korean tourists are flocking to China, taking advantage of a new visa policy that allows visitors from nine countries to stay for up to 15 days without a visa.

China is extending the visa-free policy to ordinary passport holders from Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, and the Republic of Korea on a trial basis, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

From November 8, 2024, through December 31, 2025, travelers from these nine countries are exempt from visas to enter China and can stay for no more than 15 days for business, tourism, family visits, and transit purposes, the ministry added.

"It's easy to travel under the visa-free policy. I think we'll visit China more often. This time, we're going to Shanghai for some night views," said a South Korean tourist.

"Destinations in China’s biggest cities, such as Beijing and Guangzhou, are especially attractive to South Korean youth," said Jao Isy-ang, manager of a travel agency in South Korea.

South Korean airlines and travel agencies are actively responding to the surge in demand for travel between South Korea and China. Both Korean Air and Asiana Airlines have announced plans to increase flights on these routes.

On Friday, the first group of visa-free tourists from South Korea arrived at Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon in central China's Hunan Province, a favorite destination among the country's travelers.

"Now that it's visa-free, it's very convenient. This is wonderful," said Jang Min-seon, a South Korean tourist.

Their arrival is expected to significantly boost the region's tourism industry during this season.

"Since the implementation of the visa-free policy we've seen a dramatic increase in inquiries from South Korea, with a particular interest in Zhangjiajie tours," said Li Guanghui, a travel agent in Zhangjiajie.

China welcomes first group of visa-free tourists from South Korea

Li Ganjie, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC), met with a visiting delegation of the Presidential Executive Office of Russia, led by Russian presidential aide Dmitry Mironov, in Beijing on Tuesday.

Li, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the CPC Central Committee's Organization Department, noted that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Russia.

China is ready to work with Russia to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, further deepen exchanges and cooperation in various fields, including work on cadres, and make greater contributions to consolidating China-Russia friendship from generation to generation, Li said.

Mironov expressed a willingness to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with China in various fields and continuously promote the sustained and high-level development of Russia-China relations in the new era.

After the meeting, the two sides signed a memorandum on cooperation

Senior CPC official meets Russian presidential executive office delegation