THE RECENT EXPANSION of the 144-hour visa-free transit policy in Mainland China has caused the number of foreigners visiting our country to surge in the first six months of this year.
Currently, foreign travellers from 54 countries are eligible for short-term travelling in the country under the visa-free transit policy. The list includes the US, Canada, Britain and Australia. Tourists can stay for up to 144 hours, or six days, and travel to various cities in the country during transit when they have valid flight tickets to another nation.
The visa-free transit policy is expected to provide more choices for foreign visitors to have short-term travels in the country. Foreign tourists can visit 37 cities including Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Kunming and many others.
Based on the National Immigration Administration’s figures, over 14.64 million foreigners visited the country in the first half of the year, up 152% year on year.
INFLUENCERS HEAD OUR WAY
Numerous foreign bloggers have shared their travel experience on YouTube and other social media platforms.
On one of famous YouTube travel channels, known as World Nomac, with more than 700,000 subscribers, American travel content creator Mac Candee made a trip to Shanghai.
Candee said on his channel that his first time on Mainland China was “truly an experience like no other”.
Candee said the street food and fruits in Shanghai were delicious, adding that he will return and bring more friends to visit China in the future.
On another YouTube channel, known as Sammy and Tommy, an American couple who are travel content creators, said they are excited to explore Beijing for the first time in June this year.
The couple tasted roast duck and visited various travel destinations including Jingshan Park (景山公園) in Beijing. Tommy added that China was a dream place for foodies to taste scrumptious delicacies.
In exploring famous mountains and rivers scenes and tasting local cuisines and delights, expatriate visitors have found China’s modern development has marvelled at its excellent public safety and advanced digital payment systems.
“China Travel” has become one of hottest keyword searches on YouTube and internet channel, and Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou are top choices in visits. Some overseas tourists have visited cities including Xi’an, Chengdu and Chongqing.
Expatriate influencers have shared their travel experiences in China on social platforms. Some of them have expressed that there are misconceptions by Western media on China and their viral videos let their followers realize travelling and people’s daily living in China.
HONG KONG EXPATRIATES
The Central Government has recently initiated a measure to issue five-year multiple-entry travel permits for non-Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents in the SAR to travel to the Mainland for travelling, engaging in business and visiting their families from July this year.
Foreign commerce chambers in Hong Kong have applauded the move, highlighting that it can entice more expatriates with permanent residency in the SAR to travel to the Mainland for personal and business trips. Under the new arrangement, eligible residents can apply for the permits through China Travel Service in Hong Kong.
It is hoped that Central Government would expand the permits to cover non-permanent Hong Kong residents holding foreign passports in long-term and bolster synergy to attract more global talent to work and stay in Hong Kong.
Under the Top Talent Pass Scheme and other initiatives, out of about 197,000 approved applications as of June this year, more than 130,000 of talents have already arrived in Hong Kong.
Image at the top from Amamiya Ryoichi/Unsplash.