China's Quanzhou strives to improve visiting experiences for influx of visa-free travelers

International visitors entering China at Jinjiang International Airport have been enjoying a smoother border crossing process, along with opportunities to engage with local culture through exhibits and eye-catching performances.

The airport, located in Quanzhou City, east China's Fujian Province, is a major hub for business travelers as well as tourists seeking out the city's cultural sights and the natural beauty of the nearby mountains.

In December, it became one of the 21 newly designated ports in China for visa-free entry and exit. For Italian businessman Giacomo Motti, the new policy has significantly eased his travel experience.

"Of course it's very fast because no need to [do anything], no need for the Chinese [embassy] or need much paper or documents," he said.

Quanzhou has also prepared various local intangible cultural heritage activities for international visitors. As tourists make their way from the airport, they can enjoy puppet shows, martial arts exhibitions, traditional drama performances and flowery headwear presentations, all providing unique and captivating experiences.

The city's culture and tourism department has also invited bloggers from countries including France, Malaysia, Indonesia and Bangladesh to experience the city in depth, helping them gain a clearer understanding of Chinese history through their personal experiences.

Meanwhile, a new route from southwest China's Chongqing Municipality passes through Manila, capital of the Philippines, for a brief layover before carrying on to Jinjiang Airport, effectively combining domestic and international travel on a single plane in a new achievement for China's opening up.

China's Quanzhou strives to improve visiting experiences for influx of visa-free travelers

The European Central Bank (ECB) announced on Thursday that it would slash key interest rates by 25 basis points in a bid to wind down the restrictive monetary policy.

Effective from March 12, the interest rates on the deposit facility, the main refinancing operations and the marginal lending facility will be decreased to 2.50 percent, 2.65 percent and 2.90 percent respectively, said the central bank in a statement.

The disinflation process is well on track, with headline inflation averaging 2.3 percent in 2025, 1.9 percent in 2026 and 2.0 percent in 2027, the ECB said.

The decision to keep on cutting rates came at a time when the economy in the eurozone is facing increasing uncertainties.

In its latest edition of the staff projections on Thursday, the ECB lowered its forecast for economic growth in the eurozone to 0.9 percent for 2025, 1.2 percent for 2026 and 1.3 percent for 2027.

This marks a downward revision from the ECB's forecast in December last year, which had projected 1.1 percent growth in 2025 and 1.4 percent in 2026, while the 2027 outlook remains unchanged.

The ECB attributed the weaker growth outlook for 2025 and 2026 to declining exports and sluggish investment, citing high trade policy uncertainty and broader economic instability as key factors.

ECB cuts interest rates by 25 basis points