The Chinese government has announced new measures to make travel to China easier for foreign nationals. Sun Ye has the details.

Five new measures were announced by China's National Immigration Administration on Thursday, with immediate effect to make traveling to China easier.

They include relaxing conditions for some foreign nationals applying for port visas to enter China. For example, those who need to urgently travel to China can support their application by presenting invitation letters or other relevant supporting documents to the entry port authorities. Foreigners transiting through China en route to another country, within 24 hours via one of nine airports, including Beijing Capital International Airport, can do so without being subjected to border inspection procedures, applications for visas to be extended, re-issued or replaced by foreign nationals living in China can be made at more, closer-by locations than previously permitted. Foreign nationals who need to enter and exit China multiple times can now apply for multiple-entry visas. And visa application document requirements have been simplified.

LIU HAITAO Deputy Director, National Immigration Administration "As China's economy continues to recover and improve, and the level of opening-up continues to expand, Chinese and foreign enterprises and people have many new demands for immigration management services. The NIA will actively coordinate with relevant authorities, to make it easier for foreigners coming to China for business, study, and travel. We will continue to improve immigration management services and policies, and accelerate institutional opening-up, and create a first-class business environment."

SUN YE Beijing "China began trialling visa-free travel for citizens of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia on December 1st last year. According to the National Immigration Administration, by January 9th, close to 150,000 people from those six countries had entered China. The Administration says there were around 210 million international arrivals in China in 2023, or around 62 percent of overseas arrivals in 2019. It expects that number to keep rising in 2024. Sun Ye, CGTN, Beijing."