The transit visa waiver policy helps boost tourism in China.

Tourists take check-in photos in Chongqing, southwestern China, on July 8, 2024.

Since China implemented its 144-hour transit visa-free policy, more and more foreigners have been entering the country for tourism and business more conveniently.

According to data from China's National Immigration Administration (NIA), in the first six months of this year, 14.63 million foreigners entered China through border crossings nationwide, of which 4.36 million came for tourism purposes.

Since the start of the summer holidays, Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (Shaanxi Province) has been experiencing a peak in receiving both domestic and international passengers. In particular, on July 27th, the airport recorded a record high of 154,600 passengers in a single day.

To meet the travel needs of passengers, Xi'an Xianyang International Airport has restored and opened new routes to Osaka (Japan), Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), and other destinations.

In addition, to ensure safe and fast travel for passengers, the airport has implemented a series of measures such as enhancing flight path restoration and adding wide-body aircraft to routes with high passenger demand...

According to the latest statistics, as of July 31st, more than 21,000 foreigners had entered China through Xi'an border crossings under the visa-free policy, a 33-fold increase compared to the same period last year, and the number of people transiting for 144 hours increased 2.4 times compared to the same period last year.

In Tianjin, according to the Donggang Border Control Station, along with the cruise ship "Dream" carrying approximately 2,200 passengers that departed from Tianjin International Cruise Port on July 30th, the number of tourists entering and exiting through the port has exceeded 400,000 since the reopening of Tianjin Cruise Port last year; of which more than 1,000 tourists processed for "24-hour visa-free transit" and "144-hour visa-free transit in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei".

Meanwhile, in Beijing, the number of foreign tourists visiting major scenic spots has increased significantly since the summer holidays.

To facilitate travel for foreign tourists, Beijing plans to launch an international card called the "BEIJING PASS".

Currently, relevant authorities in Beijing are conducting trials at numerous subway stations throughout the city. The card is expected to be sold to foreigners at seven major railway stations and subway stations at two airports within the city.

In addition, over the past period, services using foreign cards such as MasterCard for swiping at gates, purchasing one-way tickets, and buying additional tickets have gradually been implemented.

Previously, on July 15th, the NIA announced it would open three more border crossings applying the visa exemption policy for foreigners transiting for up to 144 hours (6 days), bringing the total number of crossings under this policy to 37.

Citizens from 54 countries, including the US, Canada, and the UK, are eligible for a 144-hour visa-free entry for short-term activities in China such as tourism and business.

According to the NIA, expanding the visa exemption policy will provide more options for foreign citizens traveling and doing business in China.

According to the Chinese government, the policy of visa-free transit for 72 or 144 hours while waiting to arrive in a third country has played a crucial role in China's deep integration , facilitating people-to-people exchanges and promoting cooperation with other countries.

China will continue to improve its policies towards a more open and welcoming environment for foreign tourists.

TH (according to Vietnam+)

Source: https://baohaiduong.vn/chinh-sach-mien-thi-thuc-qua-canh-giup-thuc-day-du-lich-trung-quoc-389423.html