China’s National Immigration Administration (NIA) has just made an important announcement, further easing entry policies to promote international exchanges. From June 6, Indonesian citizens will enjoy a 240-hour (equivalent to 10 days) transit visa-free policy when traveling through China. This move brings the total number of countries with similar policies to 55, including powers such as Russia and the United Kingdom.
Under the new policy, eligible Indonesian travelers can enter China through one of 60 ports of entry spread across 24 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the central government. To qualify for this privilege, travelers must be on their way to a third country or region and must present valid travel documents and a confirmed onward ticket to their next destination.
Indonesian citizens can transit through China for 240 hours without a visa, bringing the total number of countries enjoying the policy to 55.
The decision is seen as the latest expansion in a series of Chinese policies to facilitate international exchanges. Ge Hongliang, deputy dean of the ASEAN College at Guangxi University for Nationalities, told the Global Times that adding Indonesia to the list is part of China’s efforts to expand regional cooperation, especially amid growing exchanges between China and ASEAN.
Under this policy, Indonesian tourists are eligible to enter China through one of 60 border gates in 24 provinces, autonomous regions and centrally run cities.
In addition to tourism, transit travelers are also allowed to engage in many other activities such as meeting business partners, visiting relatives or taking short trips. However, NIA also emphasized that activities of a working, studying or journalistic nature still require the appropriate visa according to current regulations.
According to the Global Times, this is the latest expansion in China's policy to facilitate international exchanges, bringing the total number of countries exempted from transit visas to 55.
Earlier, on June 3, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced another notable plan: issuing “ASEAN visas” to business personnel from 11 countries in the bloc, along with their spouses and children if eligible. This type of visa allows multiple entries within 5 years, with each stay lasting up to 180 days, creating maximum convenience for business activities and cooperation in the region.
This is an opportunity for China's "smokeless industry" to develop rapidly.
The NIA affirmed its commitment to continue adjusting immigration policies to best support foreign citizens studying, working and living in China. These opening policies not only promote the flow of people to China from ASEAN countries but also from Africa, Central Asia and the Middle East, clearly demonstrating the change in the country's orientation to expand international cooperation.
