Complete visa exemptions, Chinese spying, and the Special Representatives of China and India on the boundary question
Michael Horlick, MPM, M Ed., PMP
Educator, Lexicographer, and Incurable Idealist
Terms to note from today’s PRC Ministry of Foreign Affairs press conference:
近段时间，中国已经同26个国家达成全面免签，先后对法国、德国等38国单方面免签，对54国实行过境免签，同157个国家和地区缔结互免签证协定。
In recent months, China has implemented a complete mutual visa exemption with 26 countries. We have issued a unilateral visa-free policy for 38 countries, including France and Germany, a visa-free transit policy for 54 countries, and reached mutual visa-free agreements with 157 countries and regions. (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on December 17, 2024)
Today’s quote:
近段时间，中国已经同26个国家达成全面免签，先后对法国、德国等38国单方面免签，对54国实行过境免签，同157个国家和地区缔结互免签证协定。
In recent months, China has implemented a complete mutual visa exemption with 26 countries. We have issued a unilateral visa-free policy for 38 countries, including France and Germany, a visa-free transit policy for 54 countries, and reached mutual visa-free agreements with 157 countries and regions. (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on December 17, 2024)
Previous PRC history of the term:
♦ 中国积极推广144小时过境免签政策，进一步便利了中外人员往来，“中国旅行”爆火出圈。
We have expanded the coverage of the 144-hour visa-free transit policy to facilitate inbound visits to China, and “Travel to China” is getting very popular around the world. (Xi_Jinping_Written Speech_Keeping Abreast of the Trend of the Times and Jointly Promoting Prosperity Around the World_把握时代大势 共促世界繁荣_2024_11_15)
♦ 我们对15国试行免签入境15天政策，新增与新加坡、泰国等6个国家互免签证，将144小时过境免签政策适用范围增至37个口岸、54个国家，持续优化支付服务……一系列便利外籍人员来华政策措施，不仅让外国游客能够在北京的胡同体验世界遗产，在上海的外滩领略璀璨夜色，在山西的古建探寻历史文化，而且拉近了中国与世界的距离，彰显了中国持续扩大对外开放的诚意和决心。
China has rolled out a 15-day visa-free entry policy for 15 countries on a pilot basis, reached mutual visa exemptions with another six countries including Singapore and Thailand, expanded the coverage of 144-hour visa-free transit policy to 37 ports of entry and 54 countries, and continued to improve payment services. The list goes on and on. China’s policies and measures to facilitate visits have brought foreign visitors to the country to explore world heritage in Beijing’s hutongs, enjoy the dazzling nightscape of Shanghai’s Bund, and have a glimpse of Chinese history and culture in Shanxi’s ancient buildings. These policies and measures draw China closer to the world, and demonstrate China’s sincerity and determination to further open up. (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on August 27, 2024)
♦ 相信大家也注意到，中方持续便利中外人员往来，对法国等15国试行免签入境15天政策，扩大实施144小时过境免签政策范围，适用口岸增加到37个。
I believe you have noticed our new facilitation measures for cross-border travel. We have rolled out a 15-day visa-free entry policy for 15 countries, including France, on a trial basis, and expanded the coverage of our 144-hour visa-free transit policy to 37 ports of entry. (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on July 17, 2024)
♦ 今年以来，为服务国内高质量发展和高水平对外开放，外交部不断优化签证等政策，会同有关部门出台系列便利措施，指导各驻外使领馆全力保障外国人来华渠道畅通。新冠病毒感染“乙类乙管”后，中国有关部门和驻外使领馆即恢复审发多次签证、口岸签证和过境免签政策；自3月15日起，全面恢复旅游签证、区域性免签及疫情前的多次签证入境功能；采取多项措施，提高办证效率，并为重要紧急商务、人道团组提供绿色通道便利；5月1日起，允许外国人持APEC商务旅行卡虚拟卡入境；7月26日起，恢复对新加坡、文莱单方面免签政策；8月中旬起，对符合条件的商务、旅游、探亲等人员采取阶段性免采指纹措施；8月30日起，来华人员入境前无需进行新冠病毒核酸或抗原检测。除上述措施之外，今年以来，中方同哈萨克斯坦、马达加斯加等多个国家签署免签协定，各类中外互免签证协定数量已达到155个。各界对上述措施反响积极，中国驻外使领馆签证签发量快速回升，入境外国人的数量稳步增长。下一步，外交部将持续优化签证政策，积极创造有利条件，为畅通中外人员往来提供更多便利。
Since early this year, to support China’s high-quality development and high-level opening-up, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been improving visa and other relevant policies, worked with competent departments to roll out a number of facilitation measures, and asked our diplomatic missions overseas to make all-out efforts to ensure unimpeded channels for foreigners to travel to China. Following the decision to manage COVID-19 with measures against Class-B infectious diseases, competent authorities and diplomatic missions of China resumed the issuance of multiple-entry visas and port visas as well as the policy of visa-free transit. Starting from March 15 [2023], issuance of tourist visas, visa exemption for certain regions and the use of multiple-entry visas issued before the pandemic are fully resumed; a number of measures have been adopted to improve visa issuance efficiency and green channels have been provided for groups for important and urgent business and humanitarian affairs. Starting from May 1, foreigners are allowed to enter China with virtual APEC Business Travel Cards. From July 26, unilateral visa-free policy for Singapore and Brunei is resumed. From mid-August, temporary exemption from fingerprinting is provided for eligible applicants for commercial, tourism and family-visiting purposes. From August 30, inbound travelers will no longer be required to take a pre-entry nucleic acid or antigen test for COVID-19. In addition, China has signed visa-exemption agreement with Kazakhstan, Madagascar and other countries this year, increasing the total number of mutual visa-exemption agreements to 155. These measures have received positive response. Visa issuance by diplomatic missions has rebounded rapidly and the number of foreigners traveling to China has risen steadily. Going forward, the Foreign Ministry will continue to improve visa policies and work actively to create favorable conditions and provide more facilitation for cross-border travel. (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on September 1, 2023)
Today’s quote:
近段时间，中国已经同26个国家达成全面免签，先后对法国、德国等38国单方面免签，对54国实行过境免签，同157个国家和地区缔结互免签证协定。
In recent months, China has implemented a complete mutual visa exemption with 26 countries. We have issued a unilateral visa-free policy for 38 countries, including France and Germany, a visa-free transit policy for 54 countries, and reached mutual visa-free agreements with 157 countries and regions. (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on December 17, 2024)
Previous PRC history of the term:
♦ 中泰进一步加强人文交流、互免签证符合两国人民根本利益。
To further enhance people-to-people exchanges and mutually exempt visas between China and Thailand serves the fundamental interests of both peoples. (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on January 2, 2024)
♦ 中新进一步加强人文交流，符合两国人民根本利益。双方一致同意互免持普通护照人员签证。目前，两国主管部门正就具体事宜进行密切沟通。中新实现全面互免签证对两国人民来说是一件大好事，双方共同期待有关安排早日落地生效。
Stronger people-to-people exchange between China and Singapore serves the fundamental interests of both peoples. The two sides have agreed on mutual visa exemption for holders of ordinary passport. As we speak, competent departments of the two countries are having close communication over the specifics. The full mutual visa exemption between China and Singapore will be great news for our two peoples. Both sides are looking forward to the early implementation of the relevant arrangement. (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on December 7, 2023)
♦ 除上述措施之外，今年以来，中方同哈萨克斯坦、马达加斯加等多个国家签署免签协定，各类中外互免签证协定数量已达到155个。
In addition, China has signed visa-exemption agreement with Kazakhstan, Madagascar and other countries this year, increasing the total number of mutual visa-exemption agreements to 155. (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on September 1, 2023)
♦ 在回答你的提问之前，我想首先介绍一下王毅国务委员兼外长访问马尔代夫和斯里兰卡的情况。 ... 中马双方签署了互免签证等一系列合作协议。
Before answering your questions, I would like to brief you on State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to the Maldives and Sri Lanka. ... The two sides also signed a series of cooperation agreements including on mutual visa exemption. (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on January 10, 2022)
就在今天上午，中方宣布全面放宽优化过境免签政策，将过境免签外国人在境内停留时间由原72小时和144小时均延长为240小时，也就是10天，新增21个口岸为过境免签人员入出境口岸，并允许外国人跨区域通行。
This morning [December 17, 2024], China fully eased and improved the visa-free transit policy, extending the permitted stay for eligible foreign travelers to 240 hours, or 10 days, from the original 72-144 hours. Twenty-one ports of entry and exit have been added for visa-free transit individuals. Foreign nationals entering China through the visa-free transit policy can make cross-province travels within the allowed areas. (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on December 17, 2024)
Today’s quote:
所谓“中国间谍”的指控十分荒唐。我想指出，中英关系发展既符合两国共同利益，也有利于促进世界经济增长、应对全球性挑战。希望英方同中方相向而行，多积累积极因素，彰显两国合作互利共赢的本质。
The “China espionage” accusation is just preposterous. Let me stress that advancing China-UK relations is in the interest of both countries, and conducive to global growth and response to global challenges. We hope that the UK will work with China, accumulate positive factors, and manifest the fact that cooperation benefits both countries. (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on December 17, 2024)
Previous PRC history of the term:
♦ 中方对韩国内政不作评论，但坚决反对韩方将内政问题同涉华因素相关联、炒作莫须有的所谓“中国间谍”、抹黑正常经贸合作。
We will not comment on the ROK’s domestic affairs, but we absolutely oppose the ROK side associating its domestic affairs with Chinese elements, amplifying unfounded “Chinese spy” accusations and throwing mud at normal economic and trade cooperation. (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on December 12, 2024)
♦ 于5月份的这起案件，我的同事已经介绍了有关立场。事实非常清楚，英方逮捕并起诉有关中国公民，完全是在炒作所谓“中国间谍”议题，对中国进行恶意诋毁，对在英中国公民进行任意抓捕和起诉。今天你提到中方有关部门公布的这起案件，我不了解具体情况，但我可以告诉你的是，中国是法治国家，我们公布有关案件，一定是有事实依据的。
My colleague shared China’s position on the case you mentioned in May [2024]. What happened is very clear. The UK’s arbitrary arrest of and charge against relevant Chinese citizens are a pure hype of the so-called “China spying” and vilification of China. On the case that relevant Chinese authorities unveiled today, I do not have details to add. But let me stress that China is a country under the rule of law. Any officially released information is supported by facts. (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on June 3, 2024)
♦ 我倒是注意到，美国情报高官曾公开宣称，美国在华情报网络重建已经取得进展。美方一边反复散布所谓中国间谍的虚假信息，一边毫不掩饰地宣称要针对中国开展大规模的情报活动，这种做法本身就很说明问题。中方将采取一切必要措施坚决维护国家安全。
But I have noticed that the US intelligence chief declared that progress has been made in rebuilding the US spy networks in China. The US on the one hand keeps spreading disinformation on so-called “Chinese spying”, and on the other hand tells the public about its large-scale intelligence activities targeting China. This in itself is quite revealing. China will take all measures necessary to safeguard national security. (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on January 9, 2024)
♦ 美方一边反复散布所谓中国间谍、网络攻击的虚假信息，一边毫不掩饰地宣称要针对中国开展大规模情报活动。这本身就很说明问题。中方将采取一切必要措施，坚决维护国家安全。
The US on the one hand keeps spreading disinformation on so-called “Chinese spying and cyber attacks”, and on the other hand tells the public about its large-scale intelligence activities targeting China. This in itself is quite revealing. China will take all measures necessary to safeguard national security. (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on July 24, 2023)
中方昨天已发布了消息，中印边界问题特别代表第23次会晤将于12月18日在北京举行。
As we announced yesterday, the 23rd meeting between the Special Representatives of China and India on the boundary question will be held on December 18 [2024] in Beijing. (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on December 17, 2024)