Relaxed visa-free policy fuels int'l eagerness for visit to China

Foreign tourists are eagerly looking forward to visiting China, fueled by a range of visa-free policy expansions.

China's visa-free transit policy, which allows travelers from 54 countries to stay in China for up to six days while en route to a third destination, has been extended to 10 days starting in December 2024.

Moreover, visa-free stays for tourism, business or family visits have been doubled to 30 days for citizens of 38 countries.

Tourists from various countries said that they are fascinated by China's rich history, vibrant culture and numerous attractions.

"I would like to go to China, absolutely. China will be my first preference, actually. I do want to go and see some of the main items in China, which is the Chinese Great Wall," said Jack from New Zealand.

"The Great Wall of China is where my heart longs for. I love hiking and nature, so visiting the Great Wall is a must for me," said a Frenchman.

"I believe China's capital Beijing is definitely worth visiting. I want to explore the capital first and then smaller but equally fascinating places," said Tito from Brazil.

"I'd like to travel to Shanghai the most because I'd like to see the skyscrapers and go shopping, and of course, enjoy some of the local restaurants," said Derner from New Zealand.

The relaxed visa policy has attracted millions of first-time travelers and encouraged many returning travelers to prolong their stays.

"I want to visit China because I really appreciate its culture—I find it fascinating. Now I have learned about China's visa-free policy, and it's fantastic. It makes traveling to China easier for us. For me, any place in China will amaze me since it's so different from my everyday life," said Marina from Brazil.

"China's visa-free policy for France is great news. It shows that France and China are friends and that China welcomes the French, while the French also enjoy China. The policy has encouraged more French people to travel to China," said another Frenchman.

Relaxed visa-free policy fuels int'l eagerness for visit to China

China's Central Military Commission had recently decided to reorganize its current military academies and establish three new ones in order to adapt to the adjustment of the military branch structure and meet the needs for military talent cultivation, said Jiang Bin, spokesman of the Ministry of National Defense, on Thursday.

"We will reorganize and establish Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) University of Army Branches, PLA Information Support Force Engineering University, and PLA Joint Logistics Support Force Engineering University. The three are all higher education institutions that recruit ordinary high school graduates from society," said Jiang.

"Among them, the PLA University of Army Branches is formed from the PLA Army Academy of Armored Forces and the Army Academy of Artillery and Air Defense, with its main campus located in Hefei City of Anhui Province. The PLA Information Support Force Engineering University is formed from the Information and Communication College of the National University of Defense Technology, and the Communications NCO (non-commissioned officers) School of the Army Engineering University, with its main campus located in Wuhan City of Hubei Province. The PLA Joint Logistics Support Force Engineering University is formed from the Army Logistics Academy, the Army Military Transportation University and its affiliated Automobile NCO Academy, with its main campus located in Chongqing Municipality. Information about the majors and enrollment numbers for these newly established universities will be released in due course in conjunction with the annual enrollment plan," said Jiang.

China to restructure, establish three new military academies