China to reopen its borders to tourists for 1st time in 3 years

China will reopen its borders to tourists and resume issuing all visas on Wednesday after a three-year shutdown during the pandemic, as it seeks to boost its tourism sector and economy.

China is one of the last major countries to reopen its borders to tourists. The announcement came on Tuesday after declaring a “decisive victory” against COVID-19 in February.

All types of visas will resume from Wednesday. Visa-free entry will also continue in destinations such as Hainan island as well as for cruise ships entering Shanghai that had no visa requirements prior to COVID-19.

Foreigners with visas issued before March 28, 2020, which are still valid will be allowed to enter China. Visa-free entry will continue for foreigners entering Guangdong in southern China from Hong Kong and Macao.

Vaccines, COVID rules are unclear

The notice did not specify whether a vaccination certificate or a negative COVID-19 test would be required, but Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told reporters on Tuesday that China had “optimized measures for remote testing for people coming to China from other countries that is relevant,” allows the statement. – antigen boarding test instead of nucleic acid test.

“All this has been done well, and the epidemic risk is generally under control,” Wang said in his daily briefing.

The move will “further facilitate the exchange of Chinese and foreign personnel,” according to notices posted on the websites of many Chinese missions and embassies.

China has stuck to a harsh “zero-COVID” strategy involving sudden lockdowns and daily COVID-19 tests to try to stop the virus before abandoning most aspects of the policy in December amid opposition.

The relaxation of visa rules follows China’s approval of outbound group tours for Chinese citizens, a positive result, and an overall improvement in the pandemic situation, Wang said.

“China will continue to make better arrangements for the safe, healthy and orderly movement of Chinese and foreign personnel based on scientific assessment and according to the situation,” he said. “We also hope that all parties will join hands with China to create favorable conditions for cross-border exchanges.”