中文 |
China grants a 15-day visa free policy to six countries on a trial basis
2024-04-09

During the press conference of the Second Plenary Session of the 14th National People's Congress of China in Beijing on March 7, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, answered questions from Chinese and foreign reporters regarding China's foreign policy and external relations.

Wang emphasized the significance of economic diplomacy when responding to a question on how China's diplomacy can better serve Chinese modernization.

"Economic diplomacy is an important part of our external work. We will continue to take steps to facilitate visits to and from China, including more convenient payment," he said.

Wang announced that starting on March 14, China would grant, on a trial basis, visa free policy to six countries: Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium and Luxembourg. 

According to the notice published by the Department of Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, from Mar 14 to Nov 30, 2024, ordinary passport holders from the six countries can enter China without a visa for up to 15 days for business, tourism, family visit, and transit purpose.

Wang said that he hopes more countries will offer Chinese citizens visa facilitation and work with China to build fast-track networks for cross-border travel and encourage speedy resumption of international passenger flights. This will make it more convenient for Chinese citizens to travel abroad, and help foreign friends to feel at home in China.