[Source / Observer Network Wang Yong Editing / Zhao Qiankun]
Recently, China has launched the "ASEAN Visa" for the 10 ASEAN countries (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam) and the ASEAN observer country Timor-Leste. This visa is issued to business personnel from these 11 countries and their spouses and children who meet the requirements, allowing them to apply for a five-year multiple-entry visa with a maximum stay of up to 180 days. This move further facilitates cross-border travel and business visits in the region.
CNBC reported that China continues to optimize its inbound travel policies and includes more countries in the visa-free list. The aim of this new plan is to make it easier for foreign travelers to come to China for travel experiences.
Pudong International Airport Passenger Flow Guangming Network
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated that in recent years, the construction of the China-ASEAN community of shared future has been continuously promoted, and important achievements have been made in building the "five homes." Frequent personnel exchanges between China and Southeast Asian countries are common, and further facilitating such exchanges is a shared aspiration.
The "Laos Times" reported that the introduction of the "ASEAN Visa" for citizens of the 10 ASEAN member states and the observer state Timor-Leste is a new policy built on the continuous optimization of existing visa-free agreements with countries like Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia, as well as the "Lancang-Mekong Visa" for Mekong River countries. This policy aims to promote regional travel and trade cooperation, reflecting China's commitment to maintaining openness and promoting global cooperation, while also demonstrating specific efforts to help build an open world economy.
As the benefits of China's various visa exemption policies continue to be realized, inbound tourism in China has been steadily rising. Relevant information shows that in the first quarter of 2025, China received 35,016,400 inbound tourists, an increase of 19.6% year-on-year; among them, 7,367,400 foreign tourists, an increase of 39.2% year-on-year.
Inbound tourism in China remained on an upward trend during the May Day and Dragon Boat Festival holidays this year. According to data from the National Immigration Administration of China, during the May Day holiday this year, there were 10,896,000 entries and exits by Chinese and foreign nationals, averaging 2,179,000 per day, an increase of 28.7% compared to the May Day holiday last year. The peak daily entry and exit volume reached 2,297,000 people. Among them, 1,115,000 foreigners entered and exited, an increase of 43.1% year-on-year; among the incoming foreigners, 380,000 entered under visa-free policies, an increase of 72.7% year-on-year; 456,000 transportation vehicles (aircraft, ships, trains, vehicles) entered and exited, an increase of 18.1% year-on-year.
During the Dragon Boat Festival holiday this year, 231,000 foreigners entered under visa-free policies, an increase of 59.4% year-on-year.
On May 1st, foreign tourists visited the Temple of Heaven in Beijing. Guangming Network
Travel industry media "Travel & Tourism World" reported that the launch of the "ASEAN Visa" initiative has drawn significant attention in the global tourism sector. This is not just a visa; it is a channel. A five-year multiple-entry pass will further drive the booming development of regional tourism and economic exchanges.
The report considers this an "ASEAN Super Visa," which will have a tremendous impact on Asian tourism. It unlocks travel exchanges, trade activities, and personal connections in an unprecedented manner. This "ASEAN Super Visa" provides ASEAN countries and Timor-Leste with the freedom to explore China, marking the arrival of a new era of regional tourism for the 10 ASEAN nations.
"This is a new type of visa policy design, an upgrade to China's current visa system. This move aims to promote the 'five homes' cooperation and respond to the mutual needs of frequent personnel exchanges," said Jin Zhen, Secretary-General of the China Academy of Social Sciences Tourism Research Center, to the Observer Network. "Compared with existing policies, it covers a wide range of countries, offers longer stays, and allows the accompanying spouses and children of business personnel, strengthening 'family-style' cross-border mobility and promoting long-term business activities and social integration."
Jin Zhen stated that the "ASEAN Visa" is called a "super visa" because it breaks through conventional visa time and space limitations, strengthening ties and interactions between China and neighboring countries. For tourism, it will significantly promote the level of regional tourism integration. In the future, it may serve as a pioneering model for international regions, driving the development of visa integration in larger areas.
In addition, the report by "Travel & Tourism World" analyzed that this policy may give China a strategic advantage in attracting inbound tourists. As international travelers find it easier to visit China, the number of visitors to Chinese travel agencies, hotels, airlines, and tourist attractions will surge. Regional airports may add new routes, and the occupancy rates of major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chengdu will rise significantly.
The report also mentioned that recently, China has adopted an open attitude to expand the scope of visa exemptions to five Latin American countries and GCC member states, further strengthening bilateral relations and laying a solid foundation for deepening cooperation. This is not only about the convenience of personnel exchanges but also a strong signal—China is ready to welcome global travelers.
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Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7512778568696119846/
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