Growth of China's tourism industry celebrated

Shi Zeyi, deputy director-general of the Bureau of International Exchange and Cooperation at the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China, introduced key initiatives China has undertaken to attract more visitors and enhance their experiences in the country.

In addition to offering well-designed inbound tourism routes around major port cities to make travel more accessible and appealing, China's government has optimized visa and customs policies, restored and expanded international flights, and broadened payment options to include cards, cash, and QR codes, according to Shi.

Currently, China has mutual visa-free arrangements with 24 countries, offers visa-free entry to the citizens of 16 countries, and provides transit visa exemptions to travelers from 54 countries.

"We are actively promoting inbound tourism through our 'Hello! China' national tourism campaign," Shi said.