Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

China expands Visa-free entry to more countries to boost economy

POSTED ON November 22, 2024 •   World      BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara
Shoppers with their purchased goods walk past a popular outdoor shopping mall in Beijing on Nov. 14, 2024. l Credit: AP Photo

On Friday, China announced that it would expand visa-free entry to citizens of nine more countries as it seeks to boost tourism and business travel to help revive a sluggish economy.

 Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said starting Nov. 30, travelers from Bulgaria, Romania, Malta, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Estonia, Latvia and Japan will be able to enter China for up to 30 days without a visa.

That will bring to 38 the number of countries that have been granted visa-free access since last year. Only three countries had visa-free access previously, and theirs had been eliminated during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The permitted length of stay for visa-free entry is being increased from the previous 15 days, Lin said, and people participating in exchanges will be eligible for the first time.

The Associated Press reported that China has been pushing people-to-people exchange between students, academics and others to try to improve its sometimes strained relations with other countries.

China strictly restricted entry during the pandemic and ended its restrictions much later than most other countries. It restored the previous visa-free access for citizens of Brunei and Singapore in July 2023, and then expanded visa-free entry to six more countries, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia on Dec. 1 of last yea

The program has since been expanded in tranches. Some countries have announced visa-free entry for Chinese citizens, notably Thailand, which wants to bring back Chinese tourists.

For the three months from July through September this year, China recorded 8.2 million entries by foreigners, of which 4.9 million were visa-free, the official Xinhua News Agency said, quoting a Foreign Ministry consular official.

READ ALSO
Tinubu lauds ECOWAS for regional integration, economic progress at golden jubilee
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 23, 2025 0

President Bola Tinubu has praised the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for promoti...

READ ALSO
Trade Wars Take Center Stage at IM ,World Bank Spring Meetings
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 22, 2025 0

Global finance leaders are convening in Washington this week for the semi-annual meetings of the Int...

READ ALSO
Tinubu mourns Passing of Pope Francis: A Voice for the Voiceless
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 21, 2025 0

President Bola Tinubu has expressed his condolences alongside global leaders over the death of Mario...

READ ALSO
Timeless Legacies: Top 10 ancient civilizations that shaped the modern world
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 19, 2025 0

Ancient civilizations laid the foundation for modern society, contributing to everything from govern...

READ ALSO
WTO warns of global trade decline amid U.S. tariffs
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 17, 2025 0

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has issued a warning that global trade could decrease this year a...

READ ALSO
Boosting Trade: Tinubu's commitment to regional integration with ECOWAS tariff signing
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 15, 2025 0

Reinforcing Nigeria's commitment to expanding regional trade, President Bola Tinubu signed the Econo...

READ ALSO
ECOWAS advocates for unified investment strategies to navigate global economic challenges
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 15, 2025 0

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has urged its member nations to enhance their...

READ ALSO
General Brice Secures 90% of Victory in Gabon's Presidential Election
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 14, 2025 0

General Brice Oligui Nguema, the military ruler of Gabon, has emerged victorious in Saturday’s...

OUR CHANNELS:

Family seeks Justice following Police arrest and disappearance
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 27, 2025 0

The family of Osas Azenabor, who was allegedly arrested by police on November 1, 2024, in the Mile 1...


Local groups seek FG backing to fight insecurity in Nigeria
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 27, 2025 0

In the face of increasing insecurity nationwide, hunters and farmers are urging the Federal Governme...


Zulum raises alarm over Boko Haram resurgence in Borno State
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 27, 2025 0

Borno, Nigeria - The Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum has expressed concern about the re-emer...


Atiku declares 2027 elections a referendum against Tinubu's administration
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 27, 2025 0

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has stated that the upcoming 2027 general election will not be...


CBN allows cash transactions for 2025 pilgrims to Mecca following VP intervention
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 27, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria - The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has granted permission for the 2025 intending pil...


Court order EFCC to detain CBEX Staff
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 27, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria (NAN) - The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, authorized the Economic and Fina...


2face set to marry Edo politician Natasha in traditional wedding, April 25
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 27, 2025 0

A popular Nigerian singer and multiple award winner, Innocent Idibia, known as "2Baba," alongside Ed...


Nigeria must leverage skills of retired military personnel in security strategy- Babandede
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 27, 2025 0

Muhammed Babandede, a former comptroller-general of the Nigeria Immigration Service, has urged Presi...


Bauchi university dismisses lecturer over sexual assault
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 27, 2025 0

Bauchi, Nigeria - The Governing Council of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University in Bauchi State has ter...


FG commends Ghana for rescuing 219 trafficked Nigerians from cybercrime
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 27, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria - The federal government has praised the Ghanaian authorities for rescuing at least 2...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu