Tuesday, January 21, 2025 China’s new visa-free policy provides an excellent opportunity for the global community to gain “a deeper understanding of the real China,” according to Carlo Micallef, the Chief Executive Officer of the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA), during a recent interview with Xinhua. Micallef praised the initiative as a clear demonstration of China’s dedication to greater international openness and its eagerness to attract tourists from around the world. Introduced on November 22 last year, the policy grants ordinary passport holders from nine additional countries, including Malta, the ability to visit China without a visa for up to 30 days.
This one-year trial, which began on November 30, encompasses travel for various purposes, such as business, tourism, family visits, cultural exchanges, and transit. Highlighting the strong ties between Malta and China, Carlo Micallef reminisced about his father’s journey to China in the 1970s, when he became one of the earliest Maltese politicians to visit the country. Micallef also reflected on his own experiences, having traveled to several Chinese citis, including Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong, starting in 2006.
Over the years, he observed firsthand the extraordinary social and economic progress China has achieved. Describing the policy as a “very positive development” for bilateral relations, Micallef anticipates it will boost collaboration between the two countries across tourism, culture, b.
