China has expanded its visa-free policy to nine additional countries, including eight in Europe, allowing their citizens to enter for up to 30 days without a visa for business, tourism, and other visits starting November 30, 2024. The policy now includes Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia and Latvia, alongside other nations already benefiting from China's open-door approach. Officials and tourism professionals from the newly included countries have welcomed the move as a step toward stronger ties.
Malta's Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg hailed the policy on Friday as another milestone in the long-standinghip relations between the two countries. "This visa-free agreement reflects the strong mutual trust and commitment to fostering closer ties in tourism, business, and cultural exchange," Borg, who is also Malta's minister for foreign and European affairs and trade, said in a press release. "It simplifies travel for our citizens but also paves the way for deeper cooperation and new international trade opportunities," he added.
For Croatian tour guide Branka Peric, the visa-free policy is "certainly good news" for tourism and those who work in the tourism sector. Peric, a long-time tour guide who is establishing her own travel agency, said the latest visa-free policy showcased China's opening up to the outside world and will result in more friendly ties between China and Croatia. "China and Croatia have a long history of good relations, and th.
