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Foreigners in China

Foreigners in China
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Foreigners in China. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
The moon rises above illuminated ice sculptures during the opening ceremony of the 42nd Harbin China International Ice and Snow Festival at Harbin in northeastern China’s Heilongjiang province on January 5. Photo: AFP
China travel

Foreigners flock to China’s ice and snow sights, with 130% inbound tourism spike

Freezing temperatures will not dampen the spirits of snow seekers, as China cements its reputation as the world’s ultimate winter playground.

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China-Japan relations

‘We’ve been careful’: Japanese firms in China stay calm amid political storm

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US-China relations

China pledges ‘immigration system for hi-tech talent’ under new 5-year plan

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China’s private sector

‘Quantity to quality’: what China’s next 5-year plan means for foreign investors

Beijing has pledged to open up even more to foreign investment. But some officials are becoming more selective about the projects they want.

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Illustration: Brian Wang
Science

China embraces tech talent as Trump closes door

Chinese leaders have added a new visa for technology graduates and welcomed experienced researchers returning from the US, in contrast to the Trump administration’s immigration clampdown.

Mainland China

Critics take aim at China’s new K visa for foreign STEM talent

Online commenters raise concerns about the programme’s impact on local employment in a tight job market.

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China-EU relations

Why younger Europeans can see their futures in China, despite the obstacles

As China ramps up its search for foreign tech expertise, a new generation of talent finds its perspectives on the country are changing.

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Illustration: Henry Wong
Singapore

Will China’s new visa targeting STEM talents give it an edge over the world?

K visa meant to help young foreigners find their professional footing can only succeed with effective policy support, analysts say.

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China’s private sector

China’s top court showcases how landmark private sector law is being enforced

The highlighted cases mainly focus on disputes between private and state-backed firms – and come as Beijing seeks to shore up its economy.

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Hong Kong economy

Imported workers ‘lifeline’ for struggling Hong Kong restaurants: trade chiefs

Industry associations also dismiss accusations that restaurant operators are using importation scheme to hire cheap labour.

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Hong Kong’s restaurant sector has struggled with staffing issues for years. Photo: Jelly Tse
China travel

China’s visa-free policy pays dividends as overseas entries soar in 2025

China’s major cities have reported enormous increases in visitors from abroad, many entering under a popular visa exemption scheme.

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An expanded visa-free entry policy has provided a much-needed boost to China’s overseas tourism. Photo: Xinhua
China travel

China expands visa-free entry

Passport holders from 46 countries can visit China for 30 days visa-free under Beijing’s loosened entry policy.

China-Middle East relations

China offers visa-free travel to 4 Gulf countries following landmark meeting

Passport holders from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain will be allowed to stay for up to 30 days under year-long trial policy.

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Artificial intelligence

Expat talent in the picture as Xi Jinping visits Shanghai AI hub

Entrepreneur Hamza Boukili was among the welcoming party for Xi’s first inspection trip since the revival of the US-China tariff war.

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Hamza Boukili, a mathematics teacher at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, was part of the group on hand during an inspection tour by President Xi Jinping on Tuesday. Photo: CCTV
United States

US influencer IShowSpeed’s view of China makes him accidental ambassador

The 20-year-old’s live streaming videos of his tour of Chinese cities win praise from analysts and government officials.

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Analysts in China said influencers like Darren Watkins Jnr, 20, could inspire more foreigners to visit the country. Photo: YouTube/IShowSpeed
China's economic recovery

Could China become an attractive retirement home for foreigners?

A retiree visa could boost the economy and improve the elderly care industry, according to proposal.

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US-China relations

China hails US YouTube star who had 10 million views on Beijing, Shanghai

Influencer is seen praising the people who greeted him enthusiastically, clean streets and internet connectivity on the subway.

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China trade

80 global executives to gather in Beijing for key annual summit

The attendees include leaders of more than a dozen US corporations, including Apple CEO Tim Cook.

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President Xi Jinping shakes hands with Apple CEO Tim Cook at a gathering in Washington. Cook is reportedly due to travel to Beijing for the China Development Forum later this month. File photo: Reuters
China property

China’s high-end rental market struggles post-Covid amid dwindling expats, firms

Rents in upmarket districts of Beijing and Shanghai slumped by as much as 17 per cent year on year in February, Beike says.

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong puts Islamic finance experts, accountants on immigration fast track

Labour and Welfare Bureau adds nine professions to talent list, which now covers 60 types of jobs city needs most to foster economy.

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China’s economic stimulus

Foreign investment in China is falling. Can a new action plan turn it around?

China has approved a new plan to attract overseas investors, after recording its steepest drop in foreign direct investment since the 2008 financial crash last year.

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Bill Gates meets with President Xi Jinping in Beijing. China has approved a new action plan to attract more foreign investment amid an intensifying US-China trade war. Photo: AP
Asean

China grants Asean tour groups visa-free access to Yunnan travel hub

Tourists from Southeast Asian bloc countries may visit Xishuangbanna – known for ethnic minority cultures – for up to six days.

Tourists visit a night fair in the southwestern Chinese city of Jinghong in Xishuangbanna Dai autonomous prefecture in February 2023. Photo: Xinhua
Education in Hong Kong

Hong Kong may require minimum stay to obtain ‘local student’ university status

Minister says she will take reference from overseas as government responds to claims of talent schemes being abused to secure cheaper tuition.

Visa-free trips to China double in 2024 as 20 million foreigners visit

Visa-free visitor numbers up 112 per cent from 2023, immigration body says, a day after China’s cabinet vows to ‘optimise’ travel policy.

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Education in Hong Kong

Education University of Hong Kong puts non-local students on notice over visas

University finds more than 900 students from outside city failed to submit visa information as required.

EdU has said it will create a task force to review the mechanism for reminding students to submit visa information in a timely manner after a recent check uncovered the scale of the problem. Photo: EdUHK
China travel

Shanghai draws S Koreans in droves as China’s visa-free entry entices travellers

Even some less-visited places around Shanghai are gaining popularity, but the language barrier, pollution and internet censorship may still deter some visits.

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A South Korean tourist takes photos at Yuyuan Garden Mall in China’s Shanghai on Christmas Day. Photo: Xinhua
China economy

China’s bid to bring back foreign visitors is bearing fruit, but is it enough?

Visitor numbers are well down on pre-Covid levels despite a string of measures, including the offer of visa-free access.

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China economy

My Take | China’s extended visa-free tourist stays drive momentum for opening

Its latest foreign-visitor policy shows that China is willing to be pragmatic, rather than adhering strictly to ideologies.

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