China extends visa-free policy to 9 more countries — including South Korea

From Friday, citizens of 9 much countries tin participate China without needing a visa to visit.

Holders of mean passports from 8 countries successful Europe — Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco and Liechtenstein — arsenic good arsenic South Korea tin sojourn for concern oregon leisure purposes for up to 15 days without needing a visa.

The visa exemption is acceptable to stay successful effect until Dec. 31, 2025.

South Korea is simply a large tourism root marketplace for China. In 2019, immoderate 4.3 cardinal South Koreans visited China, according to The Korea Times. Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported little than 1.3 cardinal visited successful 2023.

Share prices of salient Chinese and Korean question companies roseate pursuing Beijing's announcement of the expanded visa-free programme connected Friday.

Trip.com shares person risen much than 5%, portion low-cost bearer Jin Air roseate astir 4%.

This is the latest circular of countries to beryllium added to China's ever-growing visa-free program, designed to spur inbound tourism which has yet to rebound to pre-pandemic levels.

In 2019, China welcomed immoderate 49.1 cardinal travelers — arsenic of July this year, around 17.25 cardinal foreigners had arrived, according to the authorities media bureau Xinhua.

China's visa-exemption policies person been instrumental successful luring foreigners to visit. In the 3rd 4th of 2024, 8.2 cardinal foreigners arrived, a 49% summation from 2023 — with immoderate 4.9 cardinal utilizing the program, Xinhua reported Tuesday.

Officials are besides moving to easiness headaches for planetary visitors, including outgo problems foreigners brushwood successful the country, according to Chinese authorities media. For example, the authorities is requiring that large tourer attractions judge overseas recognition cards and cash, reports show.

Chinese officials are besides seeking to reconstruct formation capableness backmost to pre-pandemic levels. Chinese carriers are adding flights to Europe this winter, successful the aftermath of major planetary carriers canceling services to China owed to debased demand and continued operational problems caused by Russian airspace restrictions.