Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, and Japan, among others. This initiative is intended to encourage greater cross-border exchanges and tourism. The updated policy, set to take effect from the end of this month and lasting until the end of 2025, is part of a broader strategy to simplify travel procedures.

The list of countries benefiting from these changes also comprises Malta, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Estonia, and Latvia. As explained by Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian during a press conference, from November 30, 2024, passport holders from these visa-free nations will be allowed entry into China without a visa for stays of up to 30 days. This applies to various purposes, including business, tourism, family visits, exchanges, and transiting through the country.

Following the announcement, interest in travel to China surged significantly, particularly on the Japanese online travel platform Ctrip.com, where searches rose by 112 percent. There was a notable demand for direct flights connecting multiple Japanese cities to destinations throughout China.

Over the past year, China has engaged in mutual visa-exemption agreements with several nations, such as Singapore, Thailand, and Kazakhstan, bringing the total number of countries with comprehensive mutual visa-free arrangements to 25. In total, China has established such agreements with 157 countries and regions, encompassing various passport types.

Authorities have also been proactive in initiating extended visa options, such as 10-year and five-year multiple-entry visas for citizens of countries like Brazil and Australia, as well as to those from Central and Eastern Europe. The Foreign Ministry emphasized that these efforts are part of China’s active involvement in the APEC Business Travel Card program, aimed at facilitating business travel in the Asia-Pacific region.

Furthermore, to streamline the travel process, China is simplifying visa application procedures by introducing a more concise application form and eliminating the need for visa appointment bookings. These moves are designed to enhance convenience for travelers, especially business professionals, in support of the country's ambitions for high-quality development and enhanced global engagement.

Recent statistics reveal that in the third quarter of this year, foreign entries into China totaled 8.19 million, marking a 48.8 percent increase year-on-year, with approximately 4.885 million of these visits made under visa exemptions.