BEIJING, July 30 (Bernama-Xinhua) — China has introduced unilateral visa-free entry and mutual visa exemption agreements with 75 countries as part of its efforts to streamline visa rules and boost international travel, an immigration official announced at a press conference on Wednesday, reported Xinhua.
Wang Zhizhong, head of the National Immigration Administration (NIA), also noted that during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), the number of countries eligible for visa-free transit to China has increased to 55, while the number of entry ports has expanded to 60 across 24 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities.
Additionally, the stay period allowed for visa-free transit has been extended to 240 hours, with all these measures further facilitating travel for foreigners visiting China for tourism, business, and other purposes, said Wang.
These optimised visa-free policies have also strengthened exchanges and interactions between the Chinese and people around the world, fostering closer ties and deeper friendship, Wang noted. “Many foreign visitors have gained a true and full understanding of China through their firsthand experiences,” Wang said.
In a related matter, records also showed the number of valid ordinary passports held by Chinese citizens has surpassed 160 million, an immigration official stated.
Xiong Shuren, an official with China’s National Immigration Administration (NIA), also revealed that over 300 million entry and exit documents have been issued to Chinese citizens during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025).
–BERNAMA-XINHUA