BEIJING, May 21 (Xinhua) -- "Starting June this year, Chileans can visit China visa-free! I eagerly await my family's visit soon," Carolina Araya, a Chilean national, shared what she called "great news" on her WeChat Moments. Many of her friends gave her likes.
Currently a Spanish language instructor at Anhui International Studies University in east China, Araya reminisced about a visit by her parents almost six years ago. "I really hope they can make it later this year," she said.
Moreover, it's not just Chileans who will benefit. Effective June 1, 2025, China will expand its visa-free access to also include citizens of Brazil, Argentina, Peru and Uruguay, with a trial period lasting until May 31, 2026.
Holders of ordinary passports from these five Latin American nations may enjoy visa-free entry to China for various reasons -- including business trips, tourism, family visits, cultural exchanges or simply transit -- for no more than 30 days, said a spokesperson of the Chinese foreign ministry at a recent news briefing.
Introduced at the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC (the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum in Beijing earlier this month, this policy aligns with China's broader initiative to extend visa exemptions and foster friendly exchanges with more Latin American and Caribbean countries.
POTENTIAL TRAVEL RUSH
Filipe Porto, a Brazilian academic who has spent over a year in China, said the country will probably become the first overseas travel choice for his 52-year-old mother.
"My mother has never traveled abroad," said Porto, who is a researcher in international relations with the Federal University of ABC, Brazil. He is also eagerly awaiting the arrival of his Brazilian friends, who, according to Porto, used to find the visa application process a hassle.
Situated on opposite sides of the globe, travel between Latin America and China once presented significant challenges, stemming not only from visa complexities but also vast distances. Nowadays, however, increased air connectivity coupled with relaxed visa restrictions have brought these distant lands much closer.
In 2024, a direct flight was launched connecting Mexico City and south China's Shenzhen. Covering more than 14,000 kilometers, it is the longest direct international passenger route from China.
Other routes, such as Beijing-Madrid-Sao Paulo, Beijing-Madrid-Havana and Beijing-Tijuana-Mexico City, have also strengthened links between China and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).
Data from online travel platforms shows huge potential for inbound tourism from the five Latin American countries that will soon enjoy visa-free status. This year, Ctrip, a leading Chinese online travel platform, reported 168 percent year-on-year growth in inbound tourism orders from Argentina, while orders from both Brazil and Chile saw a growth of over 80 percent.
Ctrip Vice President Qin Jing said China's visa-free policy trial with countries like Brazil will not only spark an increased flow of cross-border tourism but also serve as an innovative step in promoting deeper cultural dialogue and shared values between China and the five Latin American nations. "We can expect the inbound tourism market to usher in a new, dynamic and reciprocal pattern in the near future," she said.
Federico Carabajal, a 32-year-old Argentinian winemaker, has spent more than a year working at the Stone and Moon Winery in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in northwest China. During this time, he has explored a number of Chinese cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, southwest China's Chengdu and Chongqing, and Xi'an in the northwest.
"China is further opening up to the world. The country is trying to showcase its rich culture, history, cuisine, technologies and smart cities to the world," Carabajal said. "Besides, traveling in China is very safe. It's also much cheaper than in many other countries."
IMPACT BEYOND TOURISM
Tiva Bezerra, head of human resources at Suzano Asia, a major Brazilian pulp producer, believes the visa exemption could significantly improve how the company operates its local projects.
"We envision it enabling more spontaneous technical exchanges, smoother executive visits -- and potentially making China assignments more attractive to Latin American professionals," Bezerra said.
Gabriel Martin, a Uruguayan entrepreneur who owns two steakhouses while also managing a beef import venture in China, hailed the move as a potential boost for his business, because it means more clients.
"China is one of the best countries in terms of business services," Martin noted. "The Chinese people are warm and welcoming. Furthermore, it's astonishing how well organized the country is, considering its vast expanse and dense population."
China's continued expansion of its visa-free policy and efforts to facilitate entries send a clear signal of the country's commitment to high-standard opening up, according to Yu Haibo, an associate professor specializing in tourism management in Tianjin-based Nankai University.
Yu added that these measures demonstrate China's resolve and efforts to promote a more dynamic, inclusive and resilient form of economic globalization.
Over the years, China has consistently contributed to promoting cooperation and exchanges with LAC countries, with the past decade witnessing remarkable progress since the inaugural China-CELAC Forum.
In the course of the last ten years, trade between China and LAC nations has doubled -- amounting to an impressive 518.4 billion U.S. dollars in 2024.
Chinese products, including its signature electric vehicles, are exported extensively to LAC countries, while goods originating from the region also enjoy popularity in China. Notably, Chilean cherries and beef from Argentina have made their way into the regular diet of Chinese households.
Sun Yanfeng, a researcher at the Institute of Latin American Studies, under the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, said that Latin American countries hope to expand exports in their economic and trade relations with China. The visa-free policy will significantly ease the process for Latin American entrepreneurs, particularly those from small and medium-sized enterprises, to visit China.
In addition to the visa-free policy, the recent China-CELAC Forum ministerial meeting also announced a set of other initiatives -- such as supporting 300 impactful small-scale livelihood projects, enhancing vocational education cooperation, promoting Chinese language education and facilitating tourism dialogue.
To Araya, the visa exemption will significantly benefit foreigners studying Chinese and Chinese students learning Spanish or Portuguese, two languages widely used in Latin America. "We may be at the other side of the world, but now we can get closer," she said. Enditem
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