China adds Japan to visa-free scheme as political tensions ease
Travellers will be allowed to remain for up to 30 days in China without a visa from November 30
Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said the policy would apply from November 30 to the end of next year, and visitors would be able to stay for up to 30 days without a visa, up from the previous 15-day limit.
Japan was among nine countries added to the list of visa-free travellers, taking the total to 38. The others announced on Friday are Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, Northern Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia.
In Hong Kong, which has visa-free entry for Japanese tourists, Travel Industry Council executive director Fanny Yeung Shuk-fan said the council welcomed the move and the city’s tourism sector could benefit from the visa-free scheme by offering itineraries with multiple destinations.
Timothy Chui Ting-pong, executive director of the Hong Kong Tourism Association, said Hong Kong tour agencies were experienced in handling Japanese tourists and also in organising tours in southern China.
“One advantage of Hong Kong is that we have direct flights to many of the secondary Japanese cities like Tokushima and Sendai, as well as to Tokyo and Osaka. We also have flights to many Chinese cities, not to mention high-speed rail services,” Chui said.
