Chinese expert: “It will be an opportunity to promote civil exchange between Korea and China”
After China announced that it would implement a visa-free policy for nine countries, including Korea, foreign media reported that travel inquiries from Koreans in China are rapidly increasing.
According to Chinese media outlet Chenlongwang on the 3rd (local time), after announcing the visa-free implementation, a tourism worker in Beijing said, “We get dozens of calls from Korean customers every day.”
Park Cheong-gil, a Korean tourism official, also told the media, “We have received dozens of inquiries from Korean buyers,” adding, “This is unexpected and sudden news. “It will become easier for Korean tourists to travel to China,” he said.
On the 1st, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs decided to expand the number of visa-exempt countries to further promote people-to-people exchanges between China and foreign countries, and will allow ordinary passport holders from nine countries, including Korea, from November 8, 2024 to December 31, 2025. “A visa exemption policy will be implemented for those eligible,” he announced.
Those entering Korea for business, tourism, visiting relatives, or transit purposes can stay without a visa for up to 15 days. If the exemption conditions are not met, they must obtain a visa before entering China.
Zhao Yihei, a researcher at the Institute of International Studies of the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, told the media, “Korea and China are close neighbors and there is frequent trade and human traffic, so a visa exemption policy for Korea is necessary,” adding, “It will provide great convenience for Koreans to travel and business trips to China.” “We will provide it,” he said.
He added, “The fact that visa exemption for Korea was implemented a year after China’s unilateral visa exemption for European and Southeast Asian countries began is related to the cold relationship between Korea and China.”
Meanwhile, this year, Korea-China relations showed signs of unwinding. In the joint declaration of the Korea-China-Japan summit held in Seoul in May for the first time in four years, “We will increase the scale of people-to-people exchanges among the three countries to 40 million by 2030 by revitalizing cultural, tourism, and educational exchanges.” He said.
Mr. Zhao Yihei emphasized, “Although exchanges have been suspended due to COVID-19, visa exemption will play a positive role in promoting people-to-people exchanges between Korea and China and reducing negative emotions and understanding each other.”
Currently, Koreans mainly visit China in the form of group tours, and the travel destinations are not diverse. However, in the future, as the number of young tourists increases, the choice of tourist destinations is expected to expand.
There are also predictions that this measure will serve as an opportunity to promote cooperation in East Asia beyond Korea-China tourism cooperation and will also contribute to forming friendly relations between the two countries.
Chinese media outlet Huanqiuwang cited the Northeast Asia Research Institute of the Heilongjiang Provincial Academy of Social Sciences and predicted, “Korea-China tourism cooperation will become a benchmark for promoting tourism cooperation in East Asia.”
He continued, “Visa exemption for Korea expresses the continued history of Korea-China relations, and at the same time appears to be a positive and open attitude to approach the relationship between the two countries at a multilateral level.”
- I’m sad
- 0dog
Hot news now
Interview between Time.news Editor and Zhao Yihei, Expert on Korea-China Relations
Time.news Editor: Welcome, Zhao Yihei! We’re thrilled to have you with us today to discuss this significant announcement regarding the visa-free policy between China and Korea. Could you start by giving us an overview of what this policy entails and its intended impact?
Zhao Yihei: Thank you for having me! The visa-free policy, effective from November 8, 2024, allows Korean passport holders to enter China without a visa for up to 15 days for various purposes, including business and tourism. This policy aims to simplify travel between our two nations, fostering closer people-to-people exchanges and enhancing our long-standing cultural and economic ties.
Time.news Editor: That’s certainly promising news! There seems to be a surge in interest from Korean travelers since the announcement. What feedback have you received from the tourism sector in China regarding this policy?
Zhao Yihei: Absolutely! We’ve seen a remarkable increase in inquiries from Korean customers. In just a few days, tourism agencies in Beijing reported dozens of calls daily from potential travelers. This reflects the eagerness of Koreans to explore China more freely, which was somewhat restricted in the past. The convenience of the visa exemption will significantly boost travel and tourism, revitalizing a sector that has faced challenges recently.
Time.news Editor: It’s interesting to note that this visa exemption comes a year after similar policies for European and Southeast Asian countries. Do you believe the diplomatic relationship between Korea and China played a role in this timeline?
Zhao Yihei: Yes, the relationship dynamics between our two countries definitely influenced this decision. It’s essential to acknowledge that the historical context of our interactions has been complex. This visa exemption marks a positive shift and reflects our desire to strengthen ties following a period of tension. By enhancing travel opportunities, we hope to alleviate negative sentiments and foster a better understanding between our nations.
Time.news Editor: The recent joint declaration from the Korea-China-Japan summit also emphasized an increase in people-to-people exchanges. How do you think this visa exemption aligns with those broader goals?
Zhao Yihei: This visa exemption directly supports the summit’s goals by laying the groundwork for increased educational, cultural, and tourism exchanges. Our aim is to eventually achieve a target of 40 million trilateral exchanges by 2030. Easy travel will promote not just tourism but also business exchanges, which are essential for regional cooperation and harmony in East Asia.
Time.news Editor: Interesting insights! What changes do you foresee in the travel patterns of Korean tourists to China due to this policy?
Zhao Yihei: Traditionally, many Koreans have traveled in large groups to established tourist destinations in China. However, with the new visa policy, we expect a significant shift. Young travelers, in particular, are keener on exploring diverse and unique experiences. This openness will likely lead to a boom in independent travel, allowing tourists to discover lesser-known regions and engage more deeply with Chinese culture.
Time.news Editor: Beyond tourism, what potential benefits do you see this visa exemption bringing to Korea-China relations overall?
Zhao Yihei: The benefits extend far beyond tourism. We anticipate that enhanced exchanges will positively influence trade, investment, and cultural relations. As more Koreans engage with China through tourism, it will foster a sense of community and shared experiences, laying a stronger foundation for diplomatic relationships. Ultimately, this could serve as a model for cooperation in East Asia as a whole.
Time.news Editor: It sounds like a significant step towards enhancing bilateral relations. Thank you, Zhao Yihei, for your valuable insights. This policy has the potential to reshape the interactions between Korea and China for years to come.
Zhao Yihei: Thank you for having me! I’m excited to see how these changes will unfold and hope they lead to a brighter future for Korea-China relations.