Beijing/New Delhi: China has made its transfer. With out a lot fanfare, it has quietly flung open its doorways to vacationers from 74 international locations. No visa. No lengthy types. No consulate queues. Simply stroll in and keep for as much as 30 days.
This shift is not any small gesture. It alerts a brand new part in China’s outreach – aimed squarely at reviving tourism, boosting its struggling financial system and rebranding its picture overseas.
And the numbers? They’re already telling the story. Over 20 million international vacationers entered China with out visas in 2024. That’s practically a 3rd of all worldwide arrivals. A full double of what the nation noticed final 12 months.
The Nationwide Immigration Administration launched the info with quiet pleasure. The message behind the statistics was loud sufficient – China desires guests, and it’s keen to make it straightforward.
On the cobbled grounds of Beijing’s Temple of Heaven, a Georgian traveller named Giorgi Shavadze regarded round and smiled. “Making use of for a visa is a trouble. This modification makes it a lot simpler to go to,” he mentioned.
In December 2023, China first rolled out visa-free entry for residents of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia. Then got here extra. Europe noticed nation after nation added to the checklist. Latin America obtained a slice too – 5 nations joined in June, adopted by Uzbekistan.
Then got here the Center East. 4 international locations from the area got entry. And on July 16, Azerbaijan will formally be added, taking the rely to 75.
India, nevertheless, stays off the checklist.
Tour operators in China are gearing up. Home vacationers nonetheless make up the majority of the footfall, however this summer time, international travellers are anticipated to return in power. Journey corporations are getting ready for packed tour buses and busy metropolis streets.
Shanghai-based Journey.com confirmed the development. Within the first three months of 2024, lodge bookings, flight reservations and tour packages for China doubled in comparison with the identical time final 12 months. Three-fourths of those vacationers? They got here from visa-exempt international locations.
America nonetheless sends essentially the most guests. About 30% of Journey.com’s enterprise comes from the US. However there’s a seen shift. European vacationers, as soon as a negligible 5% in pre-pandemic days, now kind practically 20%.
So, why now?
Observers level to a mixture of motives. China’s financial system wants a lift. World notion wants a reset. Tourism helps with each. And with international locations like Japan and South Korea tightening entry guidelines, Beijing’s relaxed stance appears much more enticing.
However there’s additionally geopolitics.
India’s absence from the checklist has not gone unnoticed. Regardless of booming commerce and common diplomatic exchanges, tensions round border disputes and regional rivalry nonetheless forged a shadow. Till that fog clears, it appears unlikely Indian residents will get the visa-free inexperienced gentle.
For now, the dragon is welcoming – however solely to these it chooses.