China promotes visa-free travel for European visitors

The Mission of the People's Republic of China to the European Union launched a promotional video at Brussels Airport in Belgium on Tuesday, which highlights China's visa-free travel policy for European visitors.

The launch, which was held in an attempt to encourage more people-to-people exchanges, was attended by Cai Run, China's ambassador to the EU, and Eduardo Santander, CEO of the European Travel Commission, who both delivered remarks.

Addressing attendees, Cai said 2026 marks the beginning of the second 50 years of China-EU relations, which have maintained steady momentum under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and European leaders.

Practical cooperation across various fields has continued to make progress, he said, while emphasizing that people-to-people exchanges are an important component of bilateral relations.

Cai invited people from across Europe to take advantage of China's visa-free travel arrangements and other convenient measures to visit the country and experience it firsthand, and thus gain a more comprehensive understanding of its society and development.

"Friendship between nations lies in the affinity between their peoples. People-to-people exchanges are an important part of China-EU relations," he said. "China stands ready to work with the EU to follow through on the important consensus reached by our leaders, seize opportunities, address challenges, and promote the steady and sustained development of China-EU relations,"

"Sino-European relations happen spontaneously because we share a common history, common values, and a common inspiration and hope for a better future for our citizens and for everybody on the planet," Santander said.

"Tourism is a very important catalyst for peace, for understanding, for economic development, for poverty alleviation, and also to get people together," he also said, adding that China's visa-free policy has made it significantly easier for European tourists to travel to the country, helping strengthen people-to-people connections and promote mutual understanding.

Attendees of the event and travelers passing through the airport expressed their appreciation of China's visa-free policy, China's mission added.

Li Yan, charge d'affaires a.i. at China's embassy in Belgium, Ondrej Dostal, a member of the European Parliament, and representatives of the China Chamber of Commerce to the EU, Chinese institutions, and Brussels Airport were among more than 50 guests attending the ceremony.

The promotional video will be displayed at prominent locations throughout Brussels Airport for four weeks, bringing information about China's visa-free travel arrangements to international passengers passing through one of Europe's major aviation hubs.