(China economic round) “China Travel” tendmally in the middle of Visa, tax policy boost -xinhua

Beijing, May 19 (Xinhua) – China's optimized guidelines for visa and tax reimbursements have strengthened inbound tourism an increase in “China Travel” worldwide.

In the recent episode of China Economic Roundtable, an All-Media talk show by Xinhua News Agency Liu Jia, an official of the National Immigration Administration, showed that the updated visa-free guidelines have made it easier for the procedures and the reduced time and financial burdens for foreign travelers to attend China.

China has introduced a number of guidelines since 2023 to facilitate incoming trips. The most important steps included the exception of mutual visa exceptions and one-sided visa-free access as well as the expansion of the visa-free stay for international visitors.

Currently China has determined mutual visa exceptions with 29 countries, one -sided visa -free guidelines for 38 countries and a visa -free transit directive for 54 countries, including Great Britain, the United States and Canada.

Tax reimbursement systems for international travelers have also been optimized. China allowed foreign buyers to collect tax discounts in tax -free shops immediately, and has also reduced the minimum purchase threshold for reimbursements, increased the ceiling of the bargeal reimbursement and expanded the available product range.

Shi Zeyi, an official of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, said about the Roundtable that “China Travel” showed a robust recovery and extensive growth prospects with continuous improvements in terms of visa, payment and tax policy.

Last year, China recorded 132 million inbound trips, whereby the total tourism edition achieved 94.2 billion US dollars and, according to SHI, recovered to 97.2 percent or 93.5 percent of the 2019 level.

Liu found that the influx of foreign visitors triggered the consumption for sectors such as hospitality, retail and cultural services, which contributes to the growth of service trade and attracts foreign investments.

These updated guidelines are proof of China's commitment to the opening, said Liu.

“Experience from first hand can help to dispel misunderstandings and prejudices and to see, see and recognize the world an open, inclusive, successful, stable and safe china,” said Liu. ■