From croissants to kung fu: Visa-free policy sparks Franco-Chinese connection
French tourist Dorey summed it up best at Guangzhou Baiyun Airport: \"China's food is delicious, its culture is very good, and its people are very nice.\" Her trip? Made possible by China's new visa-free policy for six countries, including France – and the numbers show it’s working better than anyone predicted!
Since December 2023, travelers from France can explore China visa-free for up to 15 days. The result? A jaw-dropping 295% surge in French visits compared to 2023, with over 104,000 arrivals in just five months! Reciprocal travel has skyrocketed too – 130,000 Chinese travelers visited France this year (up 215%), proving cultural curiosity goes both ways.
At Nanjing Airport, French entrepreneur Sahut Antoine praised China's \"efficient business environment\" while immigration officials reported 74,000 French visitors using the program by April – 60% of total arrivals! From Shanghai’s skyscrapers to the Great Wall, travelers are seizing the chance to connect like never before.
As one immigration official put it: \"This isn’t just about tourism – it’s about building bridges.\" With the trial running through November 2024, these numbers suggest we’re witnessing a new era of global mobility.
Reciprocal travel has skyrocketed too – 130,000 Chinese travelers visited France this year (up 215%), proving cultural curiosity goes both ways.
From Shanghai’s skyscrapers to the Great Wall, travelers are seizing the chance to connect like never before.
