'China Travel' highlights China's effective high-level opening-up

Editor's note: Ibrahim Khalil Ahasan, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is a Bangladesh-based independent columnist and freelance journalist who writes on contemporary international issues. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

The increasing confidence that foreigners have in China's social stability, hospitality, friendliness, natural beauty, sustainable green infrastructure, and robust economy highlights China's rising allure on a worldwide scale. New data shows that China's international visitor traffic increased this year, illustrating the country's efforts to support high-level opening-up.

The National Immigration Administration (NIA) said on August 19 that, as a result of many policies that have made it easier for foreigners to enter the country, the number of international visitors to China increased by about 130 percent year on year to 17.25 million in the first seven months of this year. China reported 341 million cross-border travels between January and July, rising 62.34 percent over the same time last year.

This figure clearly highlights the effectiveness of China's high-level opening-up as well as the importance and recovery of the country's tourism industry. Since the country has grown in popularity as an international travel destination, China intends to advance the tourism sector to make greater contributions to domestic economic growth.

China constantly welcomes and values international visitors who come to the nation to discuss collaboration possibilities and learn about China's economic prospects. The revolution in the restoration of foreign visitors' confidence in China can be attributed to China's policy of continuous opening and reform of immigration management services, the implementation of over 110 measures, optimizing entry visa and transit visa exemptions, mutual visa-free policies and unilateral visa exemptions, among others. 

In short, China has relaxed visa rules for foreign travelers, allowing those from 54 countries to enjoy 144-hour transit via 37 ports, and allowing foreign businesspeople to apply for visas on arrival at 100 ports across 73 cities in the country.

Travelers are also drawn to China by opportunities like hassle-free travel, high-quality living standards, better accommodation, scenic cultural sites with sustainable elements, rich infrastructure, bustling city life, Chinese cuisine, high-tech enabled services, maximum food security, endless entertainment, social stability, and modern and adequate transportation. The special attractiveness that China has for international travelers also includes its distinctive ecosystem, environment, food, way of life, and expanding economy.

Chinese authorities have lately developed a number of master plans aimed at luring international investors and the general public in order to stimulate the tourism industry. The adoption of these measures has contributed to the growth of international trust, the promotion of trade and economic exchanges, and the facilitation of personnel exchanges. "China Travel" has gained popularity as more international visitors witness China's transparency, openness, innovative capability, self-assurance, and safety firsthand.

Foreign visitors who are interested in China's economic prospects and cooperative efforts are always cordially invited and greatly appreciated in China. China's tourism assets, sites, offerings, and products have seen a significant increase in demand as foreigners prefer consuming high-quality goods while they are in the country. With a daily average expenditure volume of around 3,500 yuan (about $491) per person, foreign tourists are projected to have increased consumption to over 100 billion yuan.

A sizable percentage arrived for work-related activities, education, leisure travel, solo and group excursions, inspections and business visits. Due to the appropriate legislative framework established by the Chinese government, the potential for tourism to contribute considerably to high-quality consumption, inward investment, and foreign currency profits in China is being fully realized.

As a result, the digital economy and local job opportunities for tour guides and local tourism organizations are expanding. The number of international transactions utilizing foreign e-wallet applications to pay for products and services in China has already increased. In order to attract more foreign visitors, it's necessary for the tourism industry to develop its offerings and enhance its services to better showcase China's liveliness and openness.

In addition, this surge is not only countering the propaganda from the West about China's alleged repression of foreign citizens under the so-called pretext of national security, but it is also revealing China's increasing attraction to foreign tourists, businesspeople, and students.

China's open and friendly approach to foreign visitors contrasts sharply with other Western nations' behaviors, such as the U.S., which preaches a lot about freedom but actually harasses and targets foreigners including Chinese businessmen and students in its territory.

Given that the National Day holiday, the second China International Supply Chain Expo, and the 2024 China International Fair for Trade in Services are quickly approaching and that China has promised to keep refining and optimizing its policies as well as to welcome international visitors with greater openness, it is anticipated that the number of foreign tourists visiting China will increase during the second half of the year.

This further demonstrates that China is a welcoming and accepting nation in real life. The world will see and comprehend more and more measures that facilitate foreigners' understanding of the real, multifaceted, and panoramic image of China. 

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