Citizens of Slovenia, Greece, Denmark, and Cyprus Can Now Travel to China Without a Visa.
Summary of Key Points
1. Visa-Free Entry for Select EU Nationals: Citizens of Slovenia, Greece, Denmark, and Cyprus no longer need visas to enter China.
2. 15-Day Stay: Nationals from these countries can stay in China for up to 15 days without a visa for purposes such as tourism, business, visiting relatives, and transit.
3. Expanded Visa Exemptions: China has recently relaxed entry rules for several European countries, extending visa-free privileges to more nationals.
This decision was announced following meetings between Chinese officials and their counterparts from these EU nations:
- Slovenia: The exemption was confirmed after a meeting on September 25 between Slovenia’s Foreign Minister, Tanja Fajon, and China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi. Minister Fajon highlighted the positive bilateral relations and the significance of cooperation amidst global conflicts.
- Greece: China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, also announced that Greek citizens are now eligible for visa-free travel.
- Denmark: The decision to lift visa requirements for Danish nationals was made public after discussions between Denmark’s Foreign Minister and China’s Foreign Ministry. China sees Denmark as a key strategic partner in Northern Europe and hopes for reciprocal measures for Chinese visitors.
- Cyprus: The Cypriot government welcomed the visa waiver as a testament to the strengthened bilateral relationship between Cyprus and China.
In addition, Chinese President Xi Jinping recently extended the visa-free policy to Norwegians, allowing them to stay in China for up to 15 days for tourism, transit, and business purposes. Other EU countries also benefit from similar exemptions.