Chinese tourists walk past buildings in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, China, May 2, 2023. Photo by Reuters
Travelers arriving in China will no longer need a pre-departure antigen test for Covid-19 from August 30, as China seeks to revive its tourism industry, the Chinese Foreign Ministry has announced.
The move is seen as an important step in China’s post-pandemic reopening and aims to attract more international visitors. PA reported.
Before the pandemic, China welcomed more than 136 million visitors. Currently, the number of visitors is only 20% compared to 2019.
The requirement for a Covid-19 antigen test was implemented by China in April, replacing the old PCR testing method. Antigen test results are only accepted within 48 hours.
In January, China ended quarantine requirements for its citizens traveling abroad in a bid to reopen its economy after years of strict anti-pandemic policies.
China is traditionally Vietnam’s largest tourism partner. In 2019, some 5.8 million Chinese visited the country, accounting for almost a third of all international arrivals.
Since March 15, China has allowed its citizens to travel abroad to Vietnam.