German businesses boosted by China's visa-free scheme

For Germans looking to escape the winter chill gripping the country, the news that citizens can now travel to China visa-free for up to 15 days from December 1 opens up new travel options, particularly for those working in the world of business.

For many German businessmen and women, China is a crucial destination. According to the Lufthansa Group - Germany's biggest airline - China is the second most popular long-haul business travel destination after the United States. 

China has now removed the need for short-stay tourist and business visas for people from six countries: Germany, Italy, France, Spain, the Netherlands and Malaysia. The scheme started on December 1 and will run for one year as a trial until the end of November 24, 2024.

Companies that make money from processing visas could be expected to take a hit. However, Huiying Tang, the Chairwoman of FITT China Reisen in Düsseldorf, told CGTN she is welcoming the changes.

"Like many other agencies, a large part of our business comes from assisting with visa procedures. However, China will now be getting more tourists visiting because of the visa exemption," she said. 

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"As a vast country, China will give up some income from visas in exchange for many more international visitors, part of a long-term strategy. It's a smart move. Overall, it will be a boost for the tourism industry.” 

That is borne out in data from online travel company trip.com which says European bookings of flights to China have gone up a massive 663 percent compared to last year and almost 29 percent compared to pre-pandemic 2019.

German-based Chinese entrepreneur Feng Yi met up with CGTN in Berlin. He says face-to-face business connections are crucial and expects the visa-free scheme to be a big help for people and businesses seeking to develop new business relationships.

"If we talk about the cultural difference between China and Europe and other countries, you know, it's a cultural difference. And people wouldn't understand each other if they don't sit in the same room and feel the vibration and energy from each other. So that would be very helpful, especially for doing new business.”

China has been Germany's largest trading partner for the last seven consecutive years. With $320 billion in trade between the two countries last year, that's a lot of "vibrations" for those heading east, who will hope to forge new connections and revitalize old ones.

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