China is expanding visa-free entry to more countries in bid to boost economy

Dazzling sight: A child playing on a bench near art structures at a shopping mall in Beijing. China’s visa-free entry expansion will bring the number of countries granted such access since last year to 38. — AP

BEIJING (AP) - China announced Friday that it would expand visa-free entry to nine more countries as it seeks to boost tourism and business travel to help revive a sluggish economy.

Starting Nov. 30, travelers from Bulgaria, Romania, Malta, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Estonia, Latvia and Japan will be able to enter China for up to 30 days without a visa, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said.