Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport is buzzing with excitement as it embraced its first visa-free travelers under China’s new policy. On Friday morning, the airport welcomed Gaute Gordon from Norway, marking a significant milestone as he became the first to enter Shenzhen without a visa.
“I’m from Norway, and I’m here mainly for business. I think this new policy is a positive development for both Norway and China,” Gordon shared with a smile after breezing through customs.
China’s pilot visa-free policy, launched on November 8, allows ordinary passport holders from nine countries to enter visa-free for up to 15 days. The eligible nations include Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, and South Korea.
Korean Air flight KE827 from Seoul touched down at Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport at 10:53 a.m., bringing in more passengers eager to explore China without the usual visa hurdles. Among them was Kim Doyeon from South Korea, who expressed his enthusiasm: “This is my first visit here. I heard about the visa-free policy for South Korea, so I came. I’m excited to help bring more South Koreans to China.”
The policy, effective from November 8 to December 31 next year, aims to boost business, tourism, and cultural exchanges. Visitors can stay for up to 15 days for business activities, sightseeing, family visits, or simply transiting to other destinations.
To ensure a smooth experience, Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport’s Exit-Entry Frontier Inspection Station has ramped up its services. All inspection channels are open, and staff proficient in foreign languages are on hand to assist travelers with policy explanations and customs procedures.
The implementation of the visa-free policy has already led to a significant rise in foreign visitors. According to Yu Haixiao, deputy team leader at the airport’s Exit-Entry Frontier Inspection Station, nearly 430,000 foreign nationals entered via Shenzhen Airport in the first 10 months of this year—a staggering 132 percent increase compared to last year. Visa-free entries constituted 35 percent of this figure, six times higher than the same period last year.
With the new policy in place, Shenzhen is set to become an even more vibrant hub for international exchange, opening doors for young travelers and entrepreneurs from around the world to connect and collaborate.
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Shenzhen Airport sees surge in visa-free travelers amid new policy
cgtn.com
