China announces extension of visa-free entry period, which countries are included?

 China announces extension of visa-free entry period, which countries are included?

 

China has announced an extension of its visa-free entry policy, which will take effect from November 10 and will continue until December 31, 2026.

According to the British news agency Reuters, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Monday that Sweden has also been added to the list of visa-free entry, bringing the total number to 45, including France, Germany, Spain and other countries.

The Foreign Ministry's list includes 32 European countries, while Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea and South America, as well as some Gulf countries, are also included.

The policy was due to expire at the end of the year for many countries.

China has offered visa-free entry to citizens of dozens of countries in recent years to attract foreign tourists as the country’s tourism sector was hit hard by COVID-19 and authorities are working to fully restore it.

The US, Canada and the UK are not part of the scheme, which only allows people from eligible countries to enter the country for business or tourism purposes, as well as for visits to relatives for up to 30 days.

China is also seeking to expand its reach into the European Union, its main trading partner and one that has maintained trade relations through difficult times.

The government confirmed that a one-year suspension of a ban on rare earth exports would also apply to the European Union, after Chinese President Xi Jinping met with US President Donald Trump in South Korea, while officials from the bloc also met with Chinese officials in Brussels last week.

China's Ministry of Commerce said on Monday that the two officials agreed to continue bilateral communication, strengthen supply chains to promote Chinese and EU industries and other issues.