China expands the list of visa-free countries: Switzerland and Ireland are now included

In 2024, Switzerland and Ireland will also be among the countries to which China will grant visa-free entry.

In recent years, China has actively sought ways to expand its tourism offering and increase its appeal to foreign visitors. By gradually lifting travel restrictions due to the pandemic, the country is trying to return to normality and restore relations with the global community. In particular, the aim is to forge closer ties with Europe and attract more foreign tourists and investment.

From December 2023, China will grant visa-free entry to citizens of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia. Tourists from these countries can now enter China without a visa for up to 15 days. This regulation will be valid from December 1, 2023 to November 30, 2024.

The news about the visa-free regime was officially announced by Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China. In his briefing, he emphasized that the visa waiver applies not only to tourist travel, but also to business meetings, transit flights and trips to visit friends and relatives living in China.

And earlier this year, the Chinese government announced the introduction of a visa-free regime for short-term travel for citizens of Switzerland and Ireland. This decision allowed two other countries to travel freely to China for up to 15 days without a visa. As a result, citizens of these countries now have even more opportunities to visit China, whether for tourism, business meetings, in transit or to visit friends and relatives. According to the declaration, China will introduce a unilateral visa-free regime for Switzerland and Ireland. In return, these countries undertake to simplify visa requirements for Chinese citizens.

The decision on visa-free travel to China for Swiss citizens was announced by Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang on January 15 during the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. This important news was announced by China and Switzerland following a meeting between Li Keqiang and the President of the Swiss Confederation, Viola Amherd. The second announcement regarding Ireland was made two days later when Li Keqiang traveled to Dublin where he met with Prime Minister Leo Varadkar on Wednesday, January 17.

The 30-day visa-free regime between China and Singapore has also been back in place since the beginning of this year. A similar agreement with Thailand will come into force on March 1. In addition, Belgium could soon be added to the list of visa-free European countries, which will offer even more opportunities for the development of tourism and business cooperation.

But it is not only in the area of visa-free relations that China is actively promoting its international activities. For example, China and France have declared 2024 as the Year of Cultural and Tourism Exchange. As part of this initiative, the two countries are planning a series of exhibitions and performances to promote each other's tourism potential and cultural heritage.

Visa-free entry is a step forward for China's tourism recovery and economic development. Openness and willingness to mutually beneficial cooperation will help strengthen political relations, enhance development opportunities, create a favorable business environment for entrepreneurs and promote tourism in the country.