(Bloomberg) -- China has begun allowing foreign visitors in transit to enter the country for as long as 10 days without a visa, local media reported, in a further relaxation of travel policy with an eye on supporting economic activity.
From Tuesday, a total of 54 countries, including citizens of the UK, US and Russia will be able to stay in the country for up to 240 hours, up from a prior 72- and 144-hour policy, the official Xinhua News Agency reported.
The move comes a day after Chinese retail sales growth unexpectedly slowed, highlighting the need for Beijing to do more to encourage consumption activity in the world’s second-largest economy.
China has liberalized its border policy post-Covid as foreign visitor numbers lag. International tourist entries into China totaled nearly 23 million this year through the third quarter. The number of Chinese ports where travelers in transit can take advantage of the policy now stands at 60, up from 39 previously.
--With assistance from Josh Xiao.
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