The National Immigration Administration announced today that, effective immediately, the 144-hour transit visa-free policy will be implemented at the Zhengzhou Airport port of entry in Henan Province, and the scope of the Yunnan Province 144-hour transit visa-free policy will be expanded to include 9 cities and administrative regions, including Kunming, Lijiang, Yuxi, Puer, Chuxiong, Dali, Xishuangbanna, Honghe and Wenshan. Three new ports of entry, including Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport, Lijiang Sanyi International Airport, and Moxihe Railway Port, will also apply the 144-hour transit visa-free policy.

Citizens of 54 countries, including the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, who hold valid international travel documents and connecting tickets with confirmed dates and seats within 144 hours, are eligible to enter third countries (regions) through the above mentioned ports without a visa. They can stay for up to 144 hours in the designated area and engage in short-term activities such as tourism, business, visiting, and family visits (if they meet the requirements of the visa-free agreements between China and their respective countries).

According to relevant officials of the National Immigration Administration, since China implemented the 72/144-hour transit visa-free policy in January 2013, the policy has played an important role in serving the high-level opening-up of the country, facilitating the movement of foreign personnel, promoting exchanges and cooperation with foreign countries.

The expansion of the 144-hour transit visa exemption policy in two provinces this time provides more choices for foreign nationals to travel and engage in business activities in China.

Next, the National Immigration Administration will continue to improve and optimize the transit visa-free policy, continuously promote the immigration management system, and welcome foreign nationals to China with a more open attitude, in order to provide full services and promote high-level, high-quality development.

According to a research report by China International Capital Corporation, infrastructure for inbound tourism needs to be improved, and OTA platforms are expected to benefit in the new era. Currently, China's infrastructure for inbound tourism, such as payment, communication, language services, and supply chain, is insufficient and has not fully met the needs of foreign tourists. With the promotion of policies and proactive response from companies, mobile payment solutions from companies such as Alipay and WeChat Pay will gradually improve this situation.

After the epidemic, there have been new changes in demand for inbound tourism, and supply chain and digital transformation have become the focus of reform. With its flexibility and ability to respond quickly to market changes, OTA platforms are expected to benefit more from inbound tourism in the new era, according to China International Capital Corporation.

Travel OTA platform related companies: Ctrip Group-S (09961), Tongcheng Travel (00780)

Ctrip Group-S (09961) and Tongcheng Travel (00780)