China’s recent announcement of visa exemptions for citizens of seven more countries, six of which are in Europe, underscores a strategic move to attract high-spending, long-staying European travelers. With the visa waiver program now extended to Finland, Andorra, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Iceland, Slovakia, and South Korea, visitors will not require a visa for stays of up to 15 days. This expansion brings the total number of countries in China’s visa waiver program to 27, including several European nations, Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea.
The growing list of countries benefiting from visa waivers in China is an effort to boost the country’s tourism sector, which has seen an increase in foreign entries over the past year. While the number of foreign tourists visiting China has significantly increased compared to the previous year, it still falls short of pre-pandemic levels. By easing visa requirements and offering exemptions to select countries, China aims to attract more visitors and increase international tourism revenue. The recent inclusion of South Korea in the visa exemption list was considered unexpected, given the country’s previous restrictions on Korean pop culture and media imports.
The visa exemption for South Korean citizens is expected to facilitate more tourism and business exchanges between South Korea and China. In the past, strict requirements for Chinese visas, such as detailed personal information and high service fees charged by visa agencies, deterred some travelers. However, with the visa exemption in place, South Korean travelers can now enjoy easier access to China, potentially leading to higher tourist numbers from South Korea. Before the Covid-19 outbreak, millions of Koreans visited China annually, and with this new visa waiver, those numbers could rise once again.
Japan, on the other hand, is also seeking similar visa exemptions for its citizens visiting China. The Japan Association of Corporate Executives recently called for the exemption of visa requirements for short-term Japanese visitors, highlighting the importance of facilitating travel between the two countries. Historically, Japan has been one of China’s largest sources of inbound tourists, and easing visa restrictions could lead to increased tourism between the two nations. Both Japan and China aim to increase the number of travelers between their countries, as well as with South Korea, in the coming years.
China’s visa waiver program reflects a concerted effort to attract more international visitors and boost its tourism sector post-pandemic. With a focus on European countries and select Asian nations like South Korea, China aims to capitalize on the growing outbound tourism market and increase revenue from overseas visitors. By simplifying visa requirements and offering exemptions to citizens of key countries, China hopes to regain its position as a top tourist destination. The recent additions to the visa waiver program, including South Korea and several European nations, signal a welcoming approach to foreign visitors and pave the way for increased tourism exchanges between China and other countries.
