“An Important Step in Expanding Institutional-Level Openness”
Recently, China’s National Immigration Administration announced an extension of the transit visa-free stay for foreign nationals from 72 and 144 hours to 240 hours (10 days). Additionally, 21 new ports of entry were added, and the scope of permitted activities during the stay was expanded. This policy has been widely applauded by international figures, who view it as a strong signal of China’s commitment to high-level openness.
Continuous Optimization Reflects Openness
Antonio Miguel Carmona, President of the Spain-China Friendship Association, remarked that the continuous optimization of visa policies is a significant marker of China’s proactive approach to openness, showcasing the country’s confident, open, and inclusive image.
Dr. Tang Zhimin, Director of the China-ASEAN Studies Center at Thailand’s Panyapiwat Institute of Management, highlighted how the policy complements other visa measures, such as regional visa exemptions and mutual visa waivers, enhancing China’s high-quality development and openness.
Facilitating Global Collaboration
Edward Tenebaum, Global Head of Books at Springer Nature Group, noted how the policy enables their employees to travel more flexibly to China for discussions on AI applications in publishing and other collaborations. “There’s no need for extensive preparation—we can now travel whenever required,” he said.
Christopher Stuckeberg, President of the Dreams Come True Foundation in Geneva, shared his experience: “On my recent flight from Geneva to Beijing, I met Swiss tourists who expressed deep gratitude for China’s transit visa-free policy.”
Expanded Policy Coverage
The policy increases the number of applicable ports from 39 to 60 and expands to 24 provinces, including key regions like the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei area and the Yangtze River Delta. This provides international travelers with greater opportunities to explore China’s diverse cultural and natural landscapes.
At the “Why the Yangtze is So Fascinating” exhibition at the China Cultural Center in Paris, Jean Peguere, President of the Franco-Zafir Eurasia Cooperation Association, praised the policy for facilitating deeper cultural exchanges. He encouraged audiences to experience the Yangtze River’s charm and applauded China’s infrastructure developments, which make travel efficient and convenient.
Enhancing International Trust and Cooperation
Christine Fehas and Hans-Jürgen Komorel, leaders of the German Idas Architecture Forum, believe the policy strengthens grassroots exchanges and mutual understanding between China and Germany, paving the way for deeper future cooperation.
