On May 15, the Chinese National Immigration Administration announced the implementation of a visa-free policy for foreign tourist groups entering the country by cruise ships.
This new policy, approved by the State Council, will take effect immediately in all coastal provinces of China. Foreign tourist groups of 2 or more people traveling to China by cruise ship and organized by local travel agencies will be allowed to enter and stay in the country for up to 15 days without needing a visa. This privilege will be granted at 13 cruise ports in cities such as Tianjin, Dalian in Liaoning, Shanghai, Lianyungang in Jiangsu, Wenzhou and Zhoushan in Zhejiang, Xiamen in Fujian, Qingdao in Shandong, Guangzhou and Shenzhen in Guangdong, Beihai in Guangxi, Haikou and Sanya in Hainan.
These groups must travel with the same cruise ship to each port until the ship leaves China. Ports like Dalian, Lianyungang, Wenzhou, Zhoushan, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Beihai have been newly designated as applicable ports for the transit visa-free policy in China.
The announcement has sparked heated discussions on social media platforms. Commenters have expressed a range of opinions on the decision:
– Alexander mocked the limited understanding of openness in Chinese policy, emphasizing the restrictions on foreign tourists.
– Lyinglord questioned the purpose of visiting China if individuals were unable to use social media platforms or post pictures.
– Edward Li characterized the policy as not just a reform but an extreme form of openness, critiquing the Communist government’s approach.
– Avegas.eth pointed out that even with the new policy, visits by cruise ship are still not considered independent travel due to the fixed routes.
– James Song cautioned that while entry may be easy, leaving China could present challenges, with many being suspected of espionage.
Statistics show that in 2019, nearly 98 million international tourists visited China. However, following the pandemic, in 2023, only around 35 million tourists, including business travelers and students, came to China. According to a report by BBC Chinese, the number of foreign tourists visiting China now represents only about 30% of pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
A survey conducted by the Pew Research Center in 2023 revealed that “most individuals in Western countries hold negative views towards China, which could make foreign visitors to China uncomfortable.”
Overall, the policy change reflects efforts by China to revitalize its tourism industry and attract more visitors, especially in the wake of the global pandemic.