China’s relaxed visa rules pay off as more overseas travellers arrive
The administration said the higher numbers were expected to amount to more than 100 billion yuan (about US$14 billion) in direct spending.
After three years of Covid-19 restrictions, China reopened its borders in January last year.
Visitors from 54 countries including the United States and 40 of those in Europe are also allowed to stop for up to 144 hours as they transit via 37 ports in China. In addition, foreign businesspeople can apply for a visa on arrival at 100 ports across 73 cities in the country.
Eligible foreign professionals going to China for business and cooperation on technology can apply for multiple entry visas valid for between two and 10 years.
02:27
China expands visa-free travel to 6 new countries
As its economy tried to recover from the pandemic and tensions rose with the West, China reported a general decline in overseas visitors and investment.
The immigration administration said a total of 10.66 million people from countries taking part in the belt and road entered and exited China in the first half of this year, 2.6 times the number for the same time last year.
More than 200 special channels at 24 ports have been set up to enable visitors from these countries clear customs.
A key element of the belt and road is transcontinental rail freight.
The administration said 78,000 border inspection and freight customs clearances were carried out for China-Europe express trains, 23.4 per cent more than a year earlier. Using this rail system, fruit and vegetables from China could now reach Europe 30 days sooner than via sea routes.
03:15
What to know: new mainland travel permits for non-Chinese nationals in Hong Kong and Macau
Other services have been launched to help foreigners living in China.
In December, authorities started issuing new foreign permanent resident ID cards, enabling holders to check in at airports, high-speed train stations, and hotels without presenting their passports.
The cards can also be used as ID to pay for utilities via platforms such as Alipay and WeChat, putting the documents on a par with those held by Chinese citizens.
In July, mainland authorities also opened up cross-border travel permits to foreigners who are permanent residents of Hong Kong or Macau, allowing them to stay on the mainland visa-free for up to 90 days. More than 30,000 people had applied for the permits, the administration said.
More than 300,000 Hong Kong or Macau residents have been able to apply for their mainland travel permits from the mainland, rather than having to complete the process in their home city.
At the same time, nearly 800,000 travel permits have been issued to Taiwanese residents this year. The administration said the number of residents from the island who applied to live in Fujian province exceeded the total of the past 10 years.