China has experienced a substantial increase in visa-free entries from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia in the last month of 2023, after its introduction of a unilateral visa-free policy for ordinary passport holders from these six countries on Dec 1, 2023.

According to statistics from the National Immigration Administration, as of Dec 31, a total of 214,000 people from these six countries have entered China, marking a 28.5 percent increase compared to November. Among them, 118,000 individuals entered visa-free with ordinary passports, accounting for over 55 percent of the total entries. Around 77 percent of the visa-free arrivals, totaling 91,000 people, engaged in sightseeing, leisure and business.

Officials from the National Immigration Administration emphasized their commitment to ensuring the visa-free policy's smooth implementation. They deployed sufficient personnel and inspection channels at all entry points to ensure efficient and smooth customs clearance. Additionally, local public security authorities were directed to provide convenient arrangements for visa-free entrants' stays according to the laws and regulations.

The National Immigration Administration also pledged to implement the central economic work conference's directives, optimizing entry-and-exit management service policies. They will collaborate with relevant departments to further facilitate overseas visitors' trips to China for business, study, tourism, work and living to contribute to openness and high-quality development.

Source: National Immigration Administration