The Chinese Embassy in Washington made the announcement as the issuance of Chinese visas has been severely restricted since the Covid-19 pandemic.
By Le Figaro with AFP
Published on 03/13/2023 at 21:34, updated on 03/13/2023 at 22:46
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Visas issued by Beijing before March 28, 2020 that have not yet expired will be valid again. Michele Ursi / stock.adobe.com
From Wednesday, China will resume issuing virtually all of its visas to foreigners, which have been severely restricted since the Covid-19 pandemic, the Chinese embassy in Washington announced Monday, a new step towards a return to normalcy wanted by Beijing.
Draconian Restrictions
In addition, visas issued by Beijing before March 28, 2020 that have not yet expired will regain their validity and offer their holders the opportunity to enter China again, the embassy said in a press release. China will also restore certain visa-free entry options, including entry to the tourist island of Hainan or those allowed for cruise ship passengers calling at Shanghai.
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After three years of some of the world’s most draconian restrictions, which have hit its economy hard and sparked protests across the country, China abruptly lifted most of its measures to combat the pandemic last December. Then, in January, Chinese authorities lifted the mandatory quarantine for travelers from abroad, one of the most emblematic measures of the government’s “zero Covid” strategy.