China has announced a new visa-waiver policy that allows nationals from Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, and Slovenia to enter the country visa-free starting October 15, 2024, until December 31, 2025. This development, confirmed by the Chinese Foreign Ministry during a press conference, applies to passport holders from these countries traveling to China for business, tourism, family visits, or transit for periods not exceeding 15 days. This strategic move is part of China’s ongoing efforts to bolster its tourism sector and economic relationships post-pandemic.

The decision comes at a crucial time, as China continues to recover from the downturn caused by pandemic restrictions. Since lifting travel restrictions in late 2022, China has actively expanded its unilateral visa-free policies to attract more foreign visitors, with a special focus on boosting international tourism and revitalizing the country’s stagnant tourism industry.

The inclusion of Portugal in China’s latest visa-waiver scheme is particularly significant. Lisbon had previously expressed concerns over being omitted from earlier lists of European countries granted visa-free entry to China. In March 2024, Portugal’s ambassador to Beijing publicly voiced disappointment and confusion regarding the omission, especially given Portugal’s close historical ties with China through Macao, which was administered by Portugal until 1999.

There were even speculations that the exclusion of Portugal from the visa-free list was linked to the country’s decision to ban Huawei 5G technology, which caused some diplomatic friction between the two nations. However, the recent announcement of Portugal’s inclusion in the visa-waiver scheme signifies a positive turn, reflecting China’s willingness to repair diplomatic relations and enhance its bilateral ties with Portugal.