China waives visas for Germans, 52 other nationalities

China has announced a new visa waiver policy for visitors from 53 countries to Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei for up to six days.

The measure, which takes effect from 28 December, applies to visitors from Germany and other members of the European Union’s Schengen area, as well as the US, Brazil, Mexico, Chile and Argentina, the official People’s Daily reported on Twitter.

Beijing, the capital of China, is a major tourist hub as the home of the Great Wall of China, Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and other important historical monuments.

Currently, Beijing and Tianjin allow visa-free visits of up to 72 hours — a policy applied in 16 other international airports including Shanghai, Guangzhou and Xi’an.

The new visa-waiver policy is aimed at facilitating business visits and increasing the number of tourists in China, which is ranked fourth on the list of countries most visited by tourists, analysts say.

Austin Ohaegbu

 

 

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