China to trial visa-free travel for six countries
French, German, Italian, Dutch, Spanish and Malaysian citizens will be allowed to enter without a visa
From 1 December 2023 until 30 November 2024, citizens from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia will be allowed to visit China for up to 15 days for business or leisure without obtaining a visa.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said this trial is to help ‘promote China’s high-quality development and opening up’.
Currently, most travellers require a visa to enter the country. The exceptions include citizens of Singapore and Brunei, who can enter for business, tourism, family visits and transit for no more than 15 days.
China reopened its borders in January of this year after its zero-Covid policy, with the government starting to issue visas again in March.