Tourists are welcome to China again from today. The reopening of the country marks the end of the strict covid policy that has gripped China since 2020. A milestone, says China correspondent Anouk Eigenraam. “This removes a big bump.”
In January, the quarantine obligation for travelers had already been lifted. However, this rule was only intended for travelers who already had a visa, from now on anyone can apply for a visa again. ‘This is good news for expats, but also for international students. They can finally finish their studies».
It’s also a step in the right direction for the business, says Eigenraam. ‘Whether people want to immediately settle back in China is still the question.’ Free movement is important, he believes. ‘People can visit customers or companies again. Let’s go back to China in 2019.’ But there are also doubts within the business community. ‘People are careful. The effects of the zero covid policy are still fresh in our minds.’
“The effects of the zero-covid policy are still fresh in our minds.”
One hundred million tourists
China relies mainly on domestic tourism, but certainly welcomes the return of international tourism. “Before the corona virus, around 100 million people came to China every year. Last year it was five million people.” According to Eigenraam, the ultimate goal is to bring the number of tourists back to their previous level as quickly as possible.
Source: BNR
Sharon Rock is an author and journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. She has a passion for learning about different cultures and understanding the complexities of the world. With a talent for explaining complex global issues in an accessible and engaging way, Sharon has become a respected voice in the field of world news journalism.
