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China's visa-free policies boost cultural tourism, with Kung Fu leading the way for global visitors

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      China

      China

      China's visa-free policies boost cultural tourism, with Kung Fu leading the way for global visitors

      2025-01-02 03:06 Last Updated At:11:27

      China's expanded visa-free policies have sparked interest among international travelers for traditional Chinese culture and fueled a surge in local cultural tourism.

      In the first 11 months of 2024, China welcomed 29.218 million foreign visitors, with 17.446 million entering visa-free, up 123.3 percent year-on-year.

      This surge is leading to a growing demand for immersive cultural experiences. China, home to 1,557 nationally recognized intangible cultural heritage items, offers them opportunities to explore these traditions.

      In Quanzhou City, east China's Fujian Province, string puppet show has been a popular attraction for international visitors.

      "The plate spinners and the puppet that balances the jug on their head, the lion dance and the ribbon dance also. I like seeing these things," said an American visitor.

      "I think it's very interesting. I've never seen a doll like this before. And I think it's a very imaginative way. See what the culture sort of outfits were like. I really like it," said an Indonesian student participating in a doll clothes-making workshop

      A survey by the China Tourism Academy revealed that over 60 percent of respondents cited experiencing Chinese culture as their primary reason for visiting. World Heritage sites, the four ancient capitals, and intangible cultural heritage items like paper cutting, flower headband, and shadow puppetry are proving to be major draws for international tourists.

      Shaolin Kung Fu, one of the most famous traditional martial arts in China, is a globally recognized symbol of Chinese culture. The Shaolin Temple in Quanzhou has seen an influx of international visitors eager to witness and learn this martial art.

      "Because martial arts transcend borders. It's a body language understood worldwide," said Li Gang, head coach of Quanzhou Shaolin Temple Warrior Monks Troupe.

      Eros, an Italian living in the city for nearly a decade, is a devoted Shaolin Kung Fu enthusiast. He attends performances every month and shared photos on social media to share the moment with his family and friends.

      Thanks to the visa-free policy implemented for Italians by the end of 2023, Eros's mother and friends were finally able to visit him and experience Chinese culture.

      "If you watch the show, you can just feel the power, the energy. I needed to send my passport for my visa to Chinese consulate. So, you need to plan in this one month before. You don't need to follow this rule now. And you can easily come to visit China," he shared.

      China's visa-free policies boost cultural tourism, with Kung Fu leading the way for global visitors

      China's visa-free policies boost cultural tourism, with Kung Fu leading the way for global visitors

      Next Article

      Trump's 20 pct tariffs on EU raise concerns for Italian wine export

      2025-04-03 17:20 Last Updated At:17:47

      Wine companies in Italy are anxious as U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on the so-called "reciprocal tariffs," imposing a 20-percent tariff on the European Union.

      Giulia D'Alema, head of a family-owned wine business in Italy's Umbria region, is facing significant uncertainty for the upcoming wine sales season following the announcement of tariffs on EU products, including wine.

      Her family's 7.5-hectare vineyard has completed its major annual tasks — trimming, tying, and weeding — to ensure healthy grape growth and a fruitful harvest.

      However, despite these preparations, D'Alema is troubled by the looming threat of new tariffs on Italian wines exported to the United States.

      The United States is a key market for Italian wines, with exports valued at approximately 2 billion euros in 2024 alone.

      Yet, the announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump has put this vital export market at risk.

      "If tariffs are imposed, U.S. importers won't be able to import my wine because selling my rose will no longer be profitable for them. I've already increased production specifically for this (U.S.) market, so now I have to find other ways to absorb this surplus," said D'Alema.

      In the wine-producing region of Umbria in central Italy, it is the small and medium-sized wineries that are hit the hardest. Large enterprises can mitigate risks by adjusting their market strategies, but small family-owned businesses often rely on a single market. The imposition of tariffs creates a great deal of uncertainty for their operations.

      In 2024, Italy's bottled wine exports to the United States reached 1.94 billion euros. According to calculations by the largest agricultural association in Italy, the Italian Confederation of Farmers (CIA), if tariffs prevent Italian wines from being exported to the United States, Italian wineries could face daily losses of 6 million U.S. dollars.

      Trump's 20 pct tariffs on EU raise concerns for Italian wine export

      Trump's 20 pct tariffs on EU raise concerns for Italian wine export

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