China to allow citizens of 6 nations visa-free entry to country for up to 15 days
- Passport holders from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia will benefit from the arrangement for the next 12 months
- The measure is the latest effort to boost the sluggish Chinese economy after Covid controls caused a virtual halt to international travel
The policy will start on December 1 and run until November 30 next year. During this time, citizens of those countries will be allowed to enter the country without a visa for business, tourism, family visits and transit, foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Friday. There will be no reciprocal arrangement for Chinese citizens.
French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, who was visiting China to meet her counterpart Wang Yi, welcomed the announcement as “excellent news”.
The announcement follows a decision earlier this month to expand the visa-transit rules, with Norwegian citizens becoming the latest to benefit.
The National Immigration Administration said that from November 17, citizens from 54 countries will now be exempt from visa requirements when heading for a third nation.
Those passing through the cities of Changsha, Guilin and Harbin can stay for up to 72 hours, while those transiting through 20 other cities – including Beijing and Shanghai – can stay for up to 144 hours.
During that time, travellers are allowed to engage in tourist and business activities.