Lin Jian, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson/MFA PRC
In the first seven months of this year, China received over 17 million foreign travelers, up by 129.9 percent year-on-year. There are over 6,300 international passenger flights every week, up by close to 10 percent compared with the end of June. All these figures speak to the tremendous enthusiasm of foreign friends for traveling to China, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Tuesday.
As China's various visa-free policies are implemented, many foreign tourists have shared their trips to China online, which received over 1 billion views, searches and likes. Many foreign friends commented that they wish to explore all that the vast China has to offer. A lot of them have visited China more than once.
"I myself have watched a good number of videos by foreign vloggers sharing their trips in China. I'm happy to see more and more foreign friends come to China and fall in love with China." Lin said.
Lin stressed that the growing popularity of "China Travel" would not be possible without China's continued opening up and improving services. China has rolled out a 15-day visa-free entry policy for 15 countries on a pilot basis, reached mutual visa exemptions with another six countries including Singapore and Thailand, expanded the coverage of 144-hour visa-free transit policy to 37 ports of entry and 54 countries, and continued to improve payment services. The list goes on and on. China's policies and measures to facilitate visits have brought foreign visitors to the country to explore world heritage in Beijing's hutongs, enjoy the dazzling nightscape of Shanghai's Bund, and have a glimpse of Chinese history and culture in Shanxi's ancient buildings. These policies and measures draw China closer to the world, and demonstrate China's sincerity and determination to further open up.
"Those who visited China love it. Welcome to China. Welcome to unlock your unique experience in this beautiful, open, inclusive, and friendly country." Lin said. (By Ma Ziqian/China Youth Daily)
