China's visa-free policy for Greek citizens has sparked a surge in travel, with local travel agencies and airlines quickly reaping the benefits.
Starting on Oct 15 and lasting until Dec 31, 2025, Greek citizens with ordinary passports can visit China for up to 15 days without a visa for tourism, business, family reunification, or transit.
Maria Kavadia, marketing and PR manager at Cosmorama Travel, a local travel agency, has witnessed the direct impact of China's visa-free policy.
Her company, which has long offered various tour packages to China, recently sent a delegation to Beijing, Shanghai, and Hangzhou City in east China, alongside representatives from six other Greek travel agencies, to explore new opportunities.
"We had the possibility in October to be the first travelers from Greece to travel to China visa-free and it was an exciting experience for us because I've been many many times in China and this was the first time that I didn't have to wait [in] queues. Everything is very easy, like a domestic flight almost. Right now with the direct flights, we have the visa-free, we can also have a weekly program, so we are working on that as well," said Kavadia.
The recent extension of the visa-free stay from 15 to 30 days, effective from Nov 30, further boosts China's appeal for Greek travelers.
"Next year, we are hoping that we have more availability on the air flight which is an issue for us," Kavadia added.
In addition to the visa exemption, Greek travelers also enjoy direct flight options between the two countries.
Currently, two Chinese airlines operate direct flights from Athens to Beijing and Shanghai. Since the introduction of the visa-free policy, the number of Greek visitors to China has surged.
"Since the introduction of the visa-free policy on Oct 15, we've seen noticeable improvements. Our flight occupancy rate, which was 60 percent in September, increased to 85 percent in October and reached 90 percent or higher after the policy took effect on Oct 15," said Ji Hao, a staff member at a Chinese airline.
China's visa-free policy boosts travel from Greece
The United Nations observed the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People on Friday in Geneva.
Many nations and international organizations expressed their solidarity with the Palestinian people at the United Nations (UN) office in Geneva.
November 29 marks the annual observance of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, which has been on the official UN calendar since 1978.
China reaffirmed its solidarity with the Palestinians.
"China has always been a supporter of the Palestinian people for the realization of their independence, statehood and wellbeing. So that is why from the very beginning we are worried for the last 76 years that Palestinian people still cannot enjoy their right, their inalienable right to self-determination and independent statehood," said Chen Xu, Permanent Representative of China to the UN office in Geneva.
Before this event, Chinese President Xi Jinping extended congratulations to the meeting, emphasizing that the question of Palestine is at the heart of the Middle East and concerns international equity and justice. China supports the implementation of the two-state solution and the right of the Palestinian people to statehood, and firmly supports Palestine in becoming a full UN member. This support is highly appreciated by the people of Palestine who were represented at the UN commemoration by the Ambassador of the State of Palestine to the UN in Geneva.
"Solidarity from the people around the world, from all the nations, from certain governments, is very important now, especially in those difficult days that we are facing, genocide, televised one, against our people. So we are looking forward to the international community should move, not only deliver statements and show their solidarity, which is highly appreciated, we need and we have to stop this bloodshed," said Ibrahim Khraishi, Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine to the UN office in Geneva.
The latest UN report reveals that over 43,000 people have been killed in Palestine during the conflict, the majority of whom are women and children, with hundreds of thousands more injured and displaced.
The UN noted that this year's commemoration of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People is particularly painful, as the rights of the Palestinian people to live in peace, security, and dignity, as well as their right to self-determination, appear as distant as ever.
UN commemorates International Day of Solidarity with Palestinian People
