Japanese tourists learn how a qanat, a system for transporting water from aquifer or water well to the surface through an underground aqueduct that originated around 3,000 years ago in Turpan of Xinjiang region on June 21, 2023. Photo: Liu Xin/GT

After China announced that it will waive visa requirements for Japanese citizens, starting November 30, the Japan Tourism Agency (JATA) told the Global Times in an email interview that the new visa policy will boost tourism between the two countries.

China has decided to extend the visa-free policy to passport holders from Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia and Japan on a trial basis from November 30, 2024 to December 31, 2025, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian during a regular press conference on November 22, 2024.

"Starting from November 30, 2024, ordinary passport holders from 38 countries, including the above-mentioned nine countries, can be exempted from visas to enter China and stay for no more than 30 days for business, tourism, family visit, exchange and transit purposes," Lin said.

The announcement sparked an instant surge of interest in travel to China, with searches for Chinese destinations increasing by 112 percent on Trip.com's international platforms within 30 minutes following the announcement. Searches for direct flights from various locations in Japan to China also increased significantly.

Industry insiders noted that this measure will enhance people-to-people exchanges and economic collaboration, and will strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.

JATA expressed its optimism in an email sent to the Global Times, highlighting its confidence in the growth of the Japanese outbound travel market to China. It pledged to delve deeper into the Chinese market, develop synergies with Chinese counterparts to provide more travel information, and create innovative travel products.

Japanese tourists are known for their love of giant pandas, and many local travel agencies offer packages to visit pandas in Southwest China's Sichuan Province.

The China National Tourist Administration Tokyo Office also told the Global Times that it plans to strengthen cultural and tourism exchanges with Sanya, South China's Hainan Province. It will also introduce Sanya's diverse tourism resources to the Japanese travel industry and media, fostering cultural and tourism exchanges.

Japan's largest travel agency, JTB, has launched several China travel routes on its website, including a nine-day tour along the ancient Silk Road, crossing from Xi'an in Northwest China's Shaanxi Province to Urumqi in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

In addition to sparking tourists' enthusiasm, the new visa policy has also kindled investment interest and is set to boost trade between China and Japan.

Jin Jinghao, investment director of the Japan External Trade Organization Beijing Office, told the Global Times on Thursday that the policy is likely to attract more Japanese enterprises to come to China to explore business opportunities.

According to Jin, manufacturers and retailers in the sectors such as alcoholic beverages, processed foods, pet-related supplies and food, outdoor equipment, fishing gear, and cosmetics are eager to expand their market presence in China. The new visa policy is anticipated to create additional opportunities for enhancing trade relations between the two countries.

The new measure will add incentives for economic and trade ties between China and Japan, as it offers greater convenience and assurance for Japanese companies looking to invest in China, thereby fostering deeper and broader economic cooperation between the two nations," Chen Zilei, director of the Research Center for Japanese Economics at the Shanghai University of International Business and Economics, told the Global Times on Friday.

"It is a natural process that tourism, as a key component for deepening people-to-people exchanges between China and Japan, further facilitates bilateral interactions and offers a bridge for mutual trust and understanding," Chen said.

China's visa-free policies have made it easier for foreign tourists to explore and understand the country.

Osada, a Japanese influencer on YouTube with 163,000 followers, has posted a series of videos of his recent trip to Beijing, sparking enthusiasm among many for traveling to China.

"Traveling to China offers a unique blend of rich history, diverse culture, stunning landscapes, and modern innovation," a netizen commented under Osada's post. 

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning noted that China has extended the visa-free policy to 38 countries since the end of last year and has so far realized comprehensive mutual visa exemption with 25 countries in total. 

"We will make continued efforts to facilitate cross-border travel. We welcome friends from all countries to visit China, experience the country's glamour and share in the dividends of China's development," Mao said.