Posted on 11/24/2023 4:56:42 AM PST by FarCenter
BEIJING (Reuters) -- China will temporarily exempt citizens of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia from needing visas to visit the world's second-largest economy in a bid to give a boost to post-pandemic tourism.
From Dec. 1 to Nov. 30 next year, citizens of those countries entering China for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, or transiting for no more than 15 days, will not need a visa, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Friday.
China has been taking steps in recent months - including restoring international flight routes - to revive its tourism sector following three years of strict COVID-19 measures that largely shut its borders to the outside world.
The government is also looking to re-establish its image around the world after clashing with many Western countries on various issues including COVID, human rights, Taiwan and trade.
A recent Pew Research Center survey in 24 countries revealed that views of China were broadly negative, with 67% of adults expressing unfavorable views.
More than half of the respondents said China interfered in the affairs of other countries and did not take into account the interests of others.
"This decision will facilitate travel to China for many German citizens to an unprecedented extent," Germany's ambassador to China, Patricia Flor, said on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
"We hope that the Chinese government will implement the measures announced today for all EU member states," she said.
Visa-free travel to Germany for Chinese nationals would only be possible if all members of the European Schengen Agreement approved, she said.
French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, who is in Beijing, wrote on X: "An excellent new announcement on the occasion of my visit from my counterpart Wang Yi!"
Continuing proof, as if it were needed, that our republic, once and hopefully future, has had and will have no allies.
Does this mean Xi considers these three countries to be adequately leftist to be safe to enter their commie country?
I've visited Red China several times...most recently in 2018. To call it a disgusting cesspool would be an insult to cesspools.
Leftist? Maybe.Harmless? You betcha!
Bring your wallet.
The China that was, isn’t
I’ll just say it...China sees these countries as the hefty-spenders, and that the Euro-exchange-for-Yen might be enticing.
However, anyone who reviewed China tourism in general for the past four years...will say it’s 5-star crap, and has not returned to ‘order’ (2019).
As for Germans? I would speculate on the top ten destinations for Germans...China doesn’t make the list. Even if you enlarge it to top twenty destinations...I doubt that China makes the list. I would even speculate that Cuba comes ahead of China, with Germans.
I have visited China often, and have discovered that it really matters which city you visit. Many of what they call second tier cities are not good destinations.
Spend some time in Shanghai, you’ll leave with a different opinion.
Been there a bunch of times, and while the large cities are worthwhile, I found Yunnan and the regions and many different peoples along the old Tea Horse Road fascinating. It’s my favorite part of China. My 10-year visa has also been reinstated and definitely I’ll go again and again. I have a home in a nearby Asian country too and travel frequently.
I recommend that everyone try to see China and understand its people. Leave politics at home.
Does that mean China will take in all the muzzies who immigrated to Europe?
So they can bring back the next round of COVID with them.
Nailed it!!
Yes if they are citizens for stays of up to 15 days.
Be careful CCP, you may just be admitting several million dangerous Moslem terrorists
They are desperate to get their economy a boost.
Many companies have left China for more open and cheaper options that don’t suddenly take over the business and claim espionage.
The country has record unemployment, especially for its youth.
Covid restrictions ended many companies and there was never a bounce back after, in part due to companies being shutdown.
Their youth are increasingly wondering why work so hard when they receive so few benefits of the Chicom system
When you go to China be sure to say good buy to the family don’t bother to take your papers they already have them.
I’ve visited Red China several times...most recently in 2018. To call it a disgusting cesspool would be an insult to cesspools.
+++++++++
Thank you for confirming my pre-conceived notion that China is a Scheiß loch (loch is hole in German).
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