A foreign tourist poses for photos at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, capital of China, on July 17, 2025. Photo: VCG

China has implemented unilateral visa exemptions or mutual visa-free policies with 75 countries during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), Wang Zhizhong, head of the National Immigration Administration (NIA), said at a press conference on Wednesday. 

Wang noted that the number of countries covered by the visa-free transit policy has expanded to 55, the number of entry ports has increased to 60, and the length of transit stay in China has been extended to 240 hours, which has greatly facilitated foreign nationals' tourism, trade and visits to China.

Visa-free entry has become the primary channel for foreign nationals traveling to China for tourism and business. The most notable effect has been the sustained boost in inbound tourism, fueling the global "China Travel" trend. "Exploring China," "Shopping in China," and "Dining in China" have emerged as international new trends.

"An open, inclusive, prosperous, stable and vibrant China is increasingly perceived and recognized by people from all over the world," Liu Jia, an official of the NIA, said at the press conference on Wednesday.

Official data also reflect this trend. Since 2021, 10 countries have been added to the visa-free entry list, including Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia. According to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, China received 26.94 million overseas tourists in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 96 percent.

Such achievements have come as China streamlines visa rules and promotes international exchanges. A Chinese expert said that the move is a great help in promoting the international image of China.

The visa-free transit policies significantly enhance China's international image, allowing overseas tourists to better experience the country's multifaceted development under its opening-up policy, Xu Xiaolei, marketing manager at CYTS Tours Holding Co, told the Global Times on Wednesday. 

China is stepping up policy support to facilitate travel and shopping for overseas visitors. In April, China introduced a new package of measures aimed at further optimizing the departure tax refund policy and boosting inbound spending.

The measures include lowering the minimum purchase threshold for refunds, raising the cash refund ceiling, expanding the network of participating stores and widening the range of products available.

China's expanded visa-free policy has sparked a tourism boom, turning "China Travel" into a global phenomenon. Backed by these traveler-friendly measures, international visitors are flocking to experience the country's timeless heritage, vibrant culture, and breathtaking natural wonders like never before.

"We've streamlined visa application procedures, and launched the one-stop entry service and instant departure tax refund policy, giving foreign visitors a smoother "China Travel" experience," Mao Ning, a spokesperson of China's Foreign Ministry, said on July 11. 

"Decoupling, isolation and exclusion will never be options for China. We will keep opening wider to the world, as we share opportunities together and create a brighter future for all," Mao added. 

On Wednesday, Beijing Daxing International Airport welcomed the 10 millionth international passenger since its operation. The airport has connected to about 40 destinations overseas, including those in Europe and the Middle East.

As of July 22, the airport has handled more than 18,000 international and regional flights and transported more than 3.17 million international and regional passenger trips, an increase of 29.49 percent over the same period last year, according to information the airport shared with the Global Times. 

Global Times