Soaring overseas entries in 2025 reflect the successful implementation of China's visa-free policy.
China's 30-day visa-free policy, implemented in 2024, has significantly revitalised the country's tourism sector, attracting millions of foreign tourists and providing a much-needed boost to the economy.
Since expanding visa-free entry to citizens from 74 countries, China has seen a surge in international visitors. In 2024, over 20 million foreign tourists entered China without a visa, accounting for nearly one-third of total visitors and more than doubling the previous year's figures. The increase in visa-free entries also surged by 1,200 percent in 2024, highlighting the strong demand generated by easier access.
The policy has accelerated the recovery of the tourism industry, which was still recuperating after reopening borders in early 2023. In 2024, foreign tourist arrivals in China reached 1.49 million, with Beijing alone receiving over 840,000 entries, double the figure from the same period last year.
The influx of foreign tourists has led to a surge in overseas traffic at Pudong International Airport, which was the top-ranked airport in the country for overseas traffic, with 2.37 million entries. The policy has also contributed to a boost in China's consumption in the first half of the year, with greater spending in key sectors such as hospitality, retail, cultural sites, and transportation.
Chengdu, a strategic city in China, has also seen a significant increase in visa-free entries. In the first half of 2024, the city allowed 287,000 visa-free entries, a 120% increase from the same period in 2024. This trend is a continuation of the trend observed in other major Chinese cities and has the potential to further boost the city's tourism industry and economy.
The surge in visa-free entries in Chengdu has not been limited to specific countries, indicating a global interest in visiting the city. South Korea, Japan, the United States, Thailand, and Russia are among the top countries from which foreign arrivals originated. The increase in visa-free entries in Chengdu may lead to a subsequent increase in overseas traffic at nearby airports, similar to what has been observed in Beijing.
The visa-free policy in Chengdu, if sustained, could position the city as a significant destination for foreign tourists in the coming years. By facilitating easier access, China aims to deepen cross-cultural understanding and international collaboration, leveraging tourism as a form of soft diplomacy. The policy also covers strategic regions, such as Gulf countries, where strong airline connectivity and tailored travel packages are fostering closer people-to-people exchanges and enhanced economic cooperation.
In conclusion, China’s 30-day visa-free policy is revitalising inbound tourism, stimulating local consumption, expanding business and cultural ties, and positioning China more competitively among global travel destinations. The policy has been a much-needed boost to China's economy, contributing to a notable resurgence in the country’s tourism sector.
Diplomacy has been strengthened as China, with the 30-day visa-free policy, aims to foster cross-cultural understanding and international collaboration, leveraging tourism as a form of soft diplomacy. This policy, by attracting millions of foreign tourists, has also stimulated the economy, increasing spending in lifestyle sectors such as hospitality, retail, and travel.
