Maltese sinologist Stephen Cachia been brimming with excitement in recent days, thanks to China’s newly-extended visa-free policy. After a one-year trial, China decided in November to further broaden the scope of this policy to more European countries, including Malta.

As a lecturer in Chinese history at the University of Malta and a fluent Chinese speaker, Cachia has developed a deep connection with Chinese culture. “I always encourage my students to visit China to experience its people, culture, and historical sites firsthand,” he said.

“This visa-free policy will make their trips much easier and more seamless.” Cachia, who has visited China multiple times, looks forward to returning to explore the country again. The journey toward visa-free travel to China for Europeans began in November 2023, when China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced a one-year trial of unilateral visa-free entry for ordinary passport holders from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia. 

Under this policy, eligible individuals could visit China for business, tourism, family visits, or simply transit without a visa, with stays of up to 15 days. The trial, which started on Dec. 1, 2023, proved successful, prompting an expansion throughout 2024. By Nov. 30, 2024, the policy covered 38 countries, most of them European countries, with the maximum stay increased to 30 days. The policy also demonstrates greater flexibility by including travel for the purpose of exchanges. 

BOOSTING TOURISM AND EXCHANGE China’s unilateral visa-free policy has fueled a surge in international arrivals. In the third quarter of 2024, China recorded nearly 8.2 million inbound trips by foreigners, a 48.8 percent year-on-year increase. Among these, around 4.9 million entries were visa-free, a remarkable 78.6 percent rise compared to the same period in 2023. Air China’s Geneva office reported a significant growth in passenger numbers. 

Since the visa exemption’s implementation on March 14, its Geneva-Beijing flights had carried around 29,000 passengers as of Nov. 30, marking an 80 percent increase compared to 2023. The rise in travel has also spurred a buzz on social media, with “China Travel” becoming a top-trending term across global platforms of social media, such as Facebook and TikTo Luigi Gambardella, president of the Brussels-based digital association ChinaEU, highlighted the policy’s role in promoting cultural exchange. “Firsthand experiences in China help visitors break stereotypes and gain a better understanding of its social and economic dynamics,” he said. In Croatia, a newly added country in November, the policy has yet to reach many  people.

However, Damir Kresic, managing director of Croatia’s Institute for Tourism, praised the initiative as a gesture of good will. “This is China’s way of saying to the world: You are welcome, you are all invited,” he said, adding that he has been spreading the news among friends and family.

FOSTERING ECONOMIC BENEFITS 

Marjana Majeric, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, noted that the extended 30-day visa-free period facilitates deeper economic ties, offering businesses better market access and opportunities for development cooperation. Major companies, including Mercedes Benz and BMW, have recognized the policy’s impact in streamlining business travel and enhancing investor confidence.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have also benefited, as managers now find it easier to attend exhibitions and meetings in China. Jochen Tueting, CEO of Chery Europe, explained that the visa-free regime facilitates multinationals by improving coordination among local teams in China and fostering cooperative automotive development between China and Europe.

 Xinhua