Chongqing - On March 14, China introduced a visa-free policy for ordinary passport holders from Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg to enhance international connectivity and exchange.
This initiative was met with enthusiasm at Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport, where the early hours witnessed the arrival of Flight CA436 from Budapest. Among its 26 passengers, 11 were the first to benefit from this policy, seamlessly entering China without a visa.
Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport welcomed the first beneficiaries of China's new visa-free policy. (Photo/Zhou Song)
Kapornai Istvan, a Hungarian business traveler, hailed the policy for simplifying his frequent trips between Hungary and China, significantly easing the complexities of international trade travel. This policy, effective until November 30, permits travelers from the specified countries to engage in business, tourism, family visits, or transit in China for up to 15 days without a visa. This policy reflects China's strategy to foster tourism and trade, following its unilateral visa exemptions for nations like France and Germany.
The visa exemption policy has catalyzed a remarkable surge in international travel through Chongqing's portals. This is demonstrated by the influx of over 7,000 foreign nationals entering visa-free via Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport since the year's start, a staggering 650% increase from the previous year, with tourism and business being the primary purposes of their visits.
Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport, a pivotal gateway, boasts 21 international routes, connecting Chongqing with major global cities such as London, Paris, Sydney, and Madrid. The network spans continents, reaching Europe, Australia, the Middle East, and various Asian regions. Plans to introduce additional direct flights, such as to Milan, promise to further Chongqing's global integration and facilitate international collaboration.
Wu Dan, Vice Captain of the Chongqing Border Inspection's second duty team, elucidated the multifaceted benefits of this policy. Beyond expediting the visa acquisition process for travelers, it has markedly enhanced border control efficiency, offering a more streamlined entry experience than traditional visa-reliant procedures.
Anticipating the sustained rise in passenger numbers, Chongqing Border Inspection has adopted proactive strategies, such as forecasting flight traffic, deploying multilingual personnel, dynamically adjusting inspection channels, refining border examination protocols, and intensifying guidance for visa-exempt visitors, all aimed at ensuring a secure and efficient entry experience at Chongqing's thresholds.