China is making it easier for European travellers to visit, with a
growing list of countries now eligible for visa-free entry. Norway has
recently become the first Scandinavian country to be included in this
initiative, as China seeks to boost tourism and business exchanges.
Since early 2024, the visa-free scheme has been gradually rolled out,
initially allowing entry for 11 European nations, alongside Malaysia.
In June, Poland, Australia, and New Zealand joined the list, with
unrestricted access until the end of 2025. Norwegian citizens will also
be eligible for up to 15 days of visa-free travel, although the
implementation date has not yet been confirmed.
The programme is designed "to facilitate the high-quality development
of Chinese and foreign personnel exchanges and high-level opening up to
the outside world," according to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao
Ning.
European countries benefiting from the scheme include Austria,
Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the
Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland. Poland was added to the list on 1
July.
China is still working to recover its tourism industry, which was
heavily impacted by the pandemic. Strict travel restrictions, including
mandatory quarantines, were lifted last year, but international travel
remains lower than before the pandemic. In 2023, China recorded 35.5
million entries and exits by foreigners, significantly lower than the
97.7 million in 2019.
To further attract foreign visitors, China is investing in tourism
infrastructure, technology, and cultural promotion. Popular destinations
for European travellers include Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, as well
as newer hotspots like Sanya and Chengdu.