China has announced that it will reopen its borders to tourists and resume issuing all types of visas on Wednesday, after a three-year halt during the pandemic.
The move, which includes visa-free entry for some destinations such as Hainan Island and Shanghai for cruise ships, comes after China declared a "decisive victory" over COVID-19 last month.
The reopening of the country's borders is expected to boost tourism and the economy.
China will resume issuing all categories of visas to foreigners, including tourists, after a three-year halt imposed at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a statement by the Chinese Embassy in the United States.
This move includes visa-free entry for some destinations such as Hainan Island and for cruise ships entering Shanghai, and it's part of a broader push by Beijing to normalise two-way travel between China and the world.
Chinese authorities declared victory over the virus last month and this reopening of the borders is due to boost the country's tourism and economy.
However, tourist industry insiders do not expect a significant boost to the economy in the near future.
The resumption of visas is seen as removing a significant barrier to the resumption of normal travel between the UK and China, says Tom Simpson, managing director of China-Britain Business Council.