China will extend its visa-free entry policy for 45 countries including France, Germany and Spain to 31 December, 2026 and expand the scheme to cover Sweden, effective 10 November, the foreign ministry said on Monday.
The extension covers 32 European countries as well as Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea and several nations in South America and the Gulf region, a statement released by the foreign ministry's consular affairs department showed.
The policy was scheduled to expire at the end of this year for many of the countries.
China has offered visa-free entry to citizens from dozens of countries in recent years as part of efforts to woo foreign visitors, revive a tourism sector battered by years of strict COVID-19 controls, and boost foreign engagement.
The United States, Canada and Britain are not part of the scheme.
Under it, visitors from eligible countries can enter China for business, tourism, family visits, or transit for up to 30 days without a visa.
China is also expanding its outreach to the European Union, a key trading partner, at a time of fraught trade ties.
Beijing confirmed that its one-year suspension of expanded rare earth export controls, announced after a meeting between President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump in South Korea last week, will also apply to the European Union, the bloc said after officials met in Brussels last week to alleviate tensions.
The two sides agreed to continue communication and exchanges to promote the stability and smooth operation of China-EU industrial and supply chains, Beijing's commerce ministry said on Monday.
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Azerbaijan has been elected to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee for the 2025 to 2029 term, securing one of the most competitive seats allocated to the Eastern European regional group.
A research team in China has unveiled a breakthrough manufacturing technique that cuts the production time of a key electrical component from around one hour to just one second, potentially reshaping industries ranging from laser weapons to next-generation electric vehicles.
More than 11,000 people across seven Malaysian states have been affected by severe flooding triggered by days of torrential rain, the National Disaster Management Agency said on Monday.
The United States and Ukraine have agreed on a revised peace framework to end the war with Russia, saying talks in Geneva produced significant progress toward an updated plan acceptable to both sides, they announced on Sunday.
The United States is preparing to launch a new round of Venezuela-related operations in the coming days, as President Donald Trump’s administration intensifies efforts to pressure President Nicolás Maduro’s government and targets what it calls Venezuela’s role in the regional drug trade.
Cameras from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) on Saturday (22 November) captured Hawaii's Kilauea volcano spewing flowing lava from its crater in its latest eruption.
Italy captured a remarkable third consecutive Davis Cup title on Sunday, with Matteo Berrettini and Flavio Cobolli securing singles victories in a 2-0 triumph over Spain in Bologna.
Air traffic at Eindhoven Airport in the southern Netherlands was suspended on Saturday evening after multiple drones were sighted near the facility, prompting the deployment of counter-drone systems and raising fresh alarm over airspace security in Europe.
Several international airlines have suspended flights from Venezuela after the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warned of heightened military activity and deteriorating security conditions in the country’s airspace.
Australian far-right Senator Pauline Hanson drew sharp criticism on Monday after entering Parliament wearing a burqa as part of her latest push to ban the face-covering Muslim garment in public. The stunt prompted accusations of racism from Muslim lawmakers and led to the suspension of the Senate.
A research team in China has unveiled a breakthrough manufacturing technique that cuts the production time of a key electrical component from around one hour to just one second, potentially reshaping industries ranging from laser weapons to next-generation electric vehicles.
More than 11,000 people across seven Malaysian states have been affected by severe flooding triggered by days of torrential rain, the National Disaster Management Agency said on Monday.
Visitors to some of UK’s major cities, including London, could soon be paying extra, if they stay overnight in hotels or Airbnb style accommodation by paying a tourist tax.
The United States and Ukraine have agreed on a revised peace framework to end the war with Russia, saying talks in Geneva produced significant progress toward an updated plan acceptable to both sides, they announced on Sunday.
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