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China has reopened its borders and welcomed foreign tourists after 3 years. Photos/Illustrations
BEIJING – After 3 years of restrictions due to the pandemic, China reopened its borders to the arrival of foreign nationals, including tourists, by allowing all categories of visas to be issued from this Wednesday.
Removing the last cross-border control measures put in place to keep transmission at bay Covid-19 this comes after authorities last month declared victory over the virus.
Those in the tourism industry do not expect a massive influx of visitors in the short term or a significant economic boost. In 2019, international tourism receipts accounted for only 0.9% of China’s gross domestic product.
But the resumption of issuing visas to tourists marks a broader push by Beijing to normalize two-way travel between China and the world, after lifting its appeal to citizens not to travel abroad in January.
“Areas in China that did not require a visa before the pandemic will return visa-free,” China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Tuesday (14/3/2023) as reported by Reuters.
This will include the southern resort island of Hainan, a longtime favorite destination among Russians, as well as cruises passing through the port of Shanghai.
Visa-free entry for foreigners from Hong Kong and Macau to China’s most affluent province, Guangdong, will also resume, a benefit especially for high-end hotels popular with international business travelers.
“The announcement that China will resume issuing almost all types of visas to foreigners starting tomorrow is positive for Australian businesses whose executives wish to travel here to visit their China-based team, customers and suppliers and to explore new business opportunities in the Chinese market. mainland,” said Vaughn Barber, chairman of the Australian Chamber of Commerce in China.
Chinese events open to foreign visitors – such as the China Development Forum in Beijing later this month and the Shanghai Autoshow in April – are gradually resuming. The once every four years Asian Games will also take place in the eastern city of Hangzhou in September after being postponed last year due to fears of the spread of Covid in China.
