Since March 14, China has introduced temporary visa-free entry for tourists from Austria, Belgium, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg and Switzerland.
According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, the visa-free regime will operate on an experimental basis until November 30, 2024.
The unilateral measure allows holders of ordinary passports traveling to China for tourism, family visits, business and transit purposes to stay in the country without a visa for 15 days.
When staying in China beyond the prescribed period, citizens of six European countries need to obtain a Chinese visa.
In November 2023, China introduced a temporary visa-free entry for 15 days for citizens of Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, France and Malaysia until November 30, 2024.