By South China Morning Post | Created at 2024-12-29 02:31:15 | Updated at 2024-12-29 19:56:25
17 hours ago
Post-Covid China has become more open to foreign tourists than it has ever been in decades, with Europe so far the main target of Beijing’s expanding unilateral visa-free entrance scheme.
That is, except Sweden, Lithuania and the Czech Republic – the only European Union (EU) nations not on the list.
Chinese analysts say the omission reflects what Beijing sees as problematic bilateral relations over issues ranging from Taiwan to access to technology. Tensions over the Ukraine war have made matters worse, they add, as Europe’s support for the former Soviet state clashes with Beijing’s continued backing of Moscow.
Since November 2023, China has rolled out a string of unilateral visa-free schemes for countries worldwide. Passport holders from 38 countries are now able to enter China without a visa and stay for more than 30 days for business, tourism, family visit, or transit purposes.
On the list are 32 states across Europe, including 24 of the 27 EU member countries.
The scheme will run until the end of 2025, and the 38 countries are not required to extend the same treatment to Chinese nationals.
