China introduced a visa exemption policy granting holders of ordinary passports from Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium and Luxembourg a 15-day stay in China for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends and transit.

The first batch of tourists from Brussels, Belgium landed at the Beijing Capital Airport on March 14, the first day the policy takes effect.

China Immigration Inspection has stepped up efforts to facilitate foreign tourists, as an influx of European travelers is anticipated.