China Reopens Borders to Foreign Tourists, Signaling Major Victory Over Covid-19 Pandemic

China is reopening its borders to foreign tourists for the first time in three years, following the declaration of a “major and decisive victory” over the Covid-19 pandemic. Starting Wednesday, the country will resume issuing all categories of visas for foreigners.

The Chinese Embassy in the United States said in a statement that travelers holding multi-year visas issued before March 28, 2020 – the date China closed its borders to most overseas visitors – would be allowed to use them so long as they had not expired. This comes after Beijing withdrew its advisory to citizens against foreign travel in January.

The resumption of visa issuance for tourists marks a broader push by Beijing to normalize two-way travel between China and the world. However, tourist industry insiders do not expect a massive influx of visitors in the short run or a significant boost to the economy.

The Chinese government has implemented a number of measures to ensure safety for both visitors and citizens, including the mandatory use of face masks, temperature checks, and contact tracing. The country has also implemented a “green channel” for travelers from certain countries, allowing them to enter without quarantine.

The reopening of China’s borders to foreign tourists is a major step in the country’s recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. It is hoped that the move will help to revive the country’s tourism industry and boost the economy.