China has decided to extend its visa-free entry policy for citizens of 12 countries, including Malaysia, until the end of 2025.
The decision was announced by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the closing ceremony of the sixth meeting of the China-France Business Council on May 6, 2024.
These 12 countries include France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium and Luxembourg.
It was announced that the visa-free regime, which was first introduced in November 2023 for selected European countries and Malaysia, will end in November 2024. However, due to the success in developing tourism and the economy, it is considered necessary to extend this period.
Since easing the COVID-19 restrictions in 2023, China has steadily increased the number of international tourists.
The expansion is part of China’s broader economic strategy to revitalize its economy through international tourism. From mid-March 2024, citizens of Austria, Belgium, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg, and Switzerland will benefit from relaxed visa rules and the same visa-free entry.
Although additional testing programs have been launched for other European and Asian countries, Pakistan should not be included in the list of visa-free countries.
