China and Thailand inked an agreement for the mutual exemption of visas for ordinary passport holders on Jan 28, officially slated to take effect on March 1. This marks the transition of Thailand's phased unilateral visa-free policy for Chinese tourists, implemented since September of the previous year, into a long-term arrangement facilitating two-way travel.

Currently, 23 countries across five continents have entered into comprehensive mutual visa exemption agreements with China, reflecting the nation's efforts to enhance international travel.

Under such bilateral agreements, citizens of the involved countries or regions can enjoy visa-free stays of up to 30 days by presenting valid passports or international travel documents specified in the agreement. Stays beyond 30 days or engagements such as studying, residing, or working locally necessitate a prior application to visa authorities or relevant departments.

The inclusive visa exemption encompasses various passport types, including diplomatic, official, service and regular passports.

The implementation of this visa exemption arrangement is poised to streamline travel for individuals, eliminating the need for repeated consulate visits, complex visa document preparations and concerns about approval timelines. This development is expected to significantly enhance the convenience of outbound travel and promote smoother trade exchanges.

Zhejiang-based businessman surnamed Chen, involved in cross-border trade, lauded the news of the China-Thailand mutual visa exemption, noting its potential to enhance cooperation by enabling Thai clients to visit at their convenience.

China's efforts towards visa facilitation extend beyond comprehensive mutual visa exemptions. The nation has signed mutual visa exemption agreements with 157 countries, covering various passport categories, and has streamlined visa procedures with 44 countries. Additionally, over 60 countries and regions extend visa-free or visa-on-arrival privileges to Chinese citizens.

Simultaneously, an increasing number of countries are adopting diverse visa facilitation measures for Chinese citizens. For instance, France offers a five-year visa for holders of master's degrees  who studied in the country; Switzerland issues visa facilitation for Chinese citizens and enterprises investing in the nation; and Ireland expresses its openness to considering more conveniences for Chinese citizens visiting and investing in the country.

According to the World Tourism Barometer report by the United Nations Tourism Organization, international tourist numbers are expected to rebound to pre-COVID-19 levels by 2024. The report also forecasts rapid development in China's outbound and inbound tourism markets in 2024.

Commencing in December 2023, China has progressively introduced a series of visa optimization measures, further easing the movement of people between China and other countries. This includes a phased unilateral visa-free policy for countries such as France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia. Additionally, Chinese embassies and consulates abroad have implemented measures to reduce or exempt visa fees for entry into China, charging only 75 percent of the prevailing fees. Further, five measures have been implemented to facilitate the entry of foreign individuals into China, addressing barriers for business, study and tourism.

Data show that China witnessed 424 million inbound and outbound trips in 2023, marking a remarkable year-on-year increase of 266.5 percent, with foreign visitors surging by an impressive 693.1 percent.

An official from the Department of Consular Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that China's unwavering commitment to high-level openness remains unchanged. China welcomes visitors from across the globe to travel, conduct business, invest and study and will persist in providing increased convenience for Chinese citizens traveling abroad.