China implements visa exemption countries in Latin America and Europe to improve tourism
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Thursday a new decision to grant visa exemptions to citizens of five Latin American countries—Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay—as part of a pilot policy starting June 1 and extending through May 31, 2026.
This decision comes as part of Beijing’s efforts to boost tourism and business travel, aiming to support the recovery of its slowing economy.
Late last year, China announced the expansion of the list of countries whose citizens are allowed to enter the country without a visa to include nine new countries.
Travelers from Bulgaria, Romania, Malta, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Estonia, Latvia, and Japan were allowed to enter and stay for up to 30 days, starting November 30.
Rural tourism in China is experiencing a remarkable recovery, with rural destinations receiving approximately 707 million visits in the first quarter of this year, an 8.9% increase compared to the same period last year.
Rural tourism revenues reached 412 billion yuan ($57.21 billion), a growth of 5.6%.
Total domestic tourism spending in China during the first quarter of the year reached 1.8 trillion yuan (about $250 billion), with 1.79 billion domestic trips recorded, representing a 26.4% increase compared to the first quarter of 2024.
The China Association of Tourist Attractions stated that Class A tourist destinations received approximately 6.6 billion visitors in 2024, registering a 15% year-on-year increase, generating tourism revenues estimated at approximately 470 billion yuan ($65.28 billion).
These indicators reflect a clear increase in domestic tourism activity in China.
The new visa-free policy is a strategic step to boost international tourism and expand the base of visitors from the countries included in the decision.
