"The aim is to facilitate the high-quality development of exchanges between Chinese and foreign personnel and enhance openness to the outside world," said Mao Ning, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during a press conference in November.

The pilot program allows a visa-free stay of up to 15 days. Previously, China had extended its visa-free policy to 11 European countries and Malaysia, effective until 2025.

Initially launched in stages from early 2024 and intended to last for one year, the policy is designed to promote business and tourism visits by encouraging interaction between Chinese residents and international visitors.

As international tourism to China gradually recovers, strict pandemic restrictions, including mandatory quarantines, deterred visitors for nearly three years. These restrictions were lifted early last year, but international travel has yet to reach pre-pandemic levels.

In 2023, China recorded 35.5 million foreign arrivals and departures, down significantly from 97.7 million in 2019, the last year before the pandemic.

China is actively seeking foreign investment to revitalize its slowing economy. Some international business leaders, including Tesla's Elon Musk and Apple's Tim Cook, have participated in trade fairs and meetings, although foreign tourists remain less frequent than before the pandemic.