China extends visa-free policy to two more European countries

At the World Economic Forum in Davos Chinese Premier Li Qiang announced that China has again extended its list of countries who can visit without a visa.  

It has added Ireland and Switzerland to a list of countries who can gain from its visa-free policy. Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain already benefit from the policy, and Malaysia also has visa-free status to the country.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said in November, at a briefing on the initial announcement, that the aim is: “to facilitate the high-quality development of Chinese and foreign personnel exchanges and high-level opening up to the outside world.”

Visitors can have visa-free entry is for up to 15 days. The pilot programme will initially last for one year.

China’s strict pandemic measures meant the country only fully reopened its borders last year, and tourism has not bounced back yet to pre-pandemic levels.