China may soon decide to add another European Union member, Belgium, to the list of countries whose citizens do not require a visa to enter China for short-term stays.
Belgian Foreign Minister Haja Rachbib held high-level talks with Chinese officials during a diplomatic mission to the country last week and said China may remove visa requirements for Belgian nationals.
VisaGuide.World reports that the lifting of visa requirements for Belgian nationals means that Belgian nationals will be allowed to enter China for a short period of time without undergoing visa formalities.
Although Chinese authorities have not issued an official statement on the matter, they are expected to significantly ease some visa and travel rules for certain foreign travelers to encourage travel and tourism to the country.
The Belgian Foreign Minister said that in addition to visa-related discussions, he also discussed trade between the two countries with Wang Yi, and also focused on the current geopolitical situation.
It was great to sit down and talk with my Chinese colleague Wang Yi in order to reset the relationship between Belgium and China. We discussed trade and focused on the current geopolitical situation. We look forward to China, as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, promoting security and stability.
Separately, it was previously reported that China may also remove visa requirements for Swiss as well as Irish citizens.
In an attempt to support the travel and tourism sector, which has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, China has introduced several visa-related facilitations in recent months.
Now that there is no longer a serious risk from the coronavirus, China is hoping to bring as many foreign tourists into the country as possible.
In early December 2023, China decided to allow citizens of Germany, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, and Malaysia to enter the country without a visa. The decision was taken as part of a move to make the country a more attractive destination. However, visa-free travel for passport holders from these countries will only apply until November 30, 2024.
Besides relaxing visa requirements for nationals of these countries, China has also relaxed visa rules for US citizens.
In line with the new rules, Americans applying for Chinese tourist visas no longer need to provide proof that they have secured a place to stay in China. Additionally, U.S. citizens applying for a Chinese visa will be exempted from the requirement to provide proof of return and an invitation letter.