China to allow Belgians visa-free entry

China will offer visa-free travel to Belgian citizens starting March 14, Foreign minister Wang Yi said on Thursday. Travellers from Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria and Luxembourg will also be able to enter the country without a visa.

China will implement its visa-free policy for the six countries on a trial basis, Yi said at a press conference. Belgian citizens who plan to travel to China for no more than 15 days will no longer need to apply for a visa.

The policy applies to people travelling to China for business, tourism, visiting family and friends, and transit. Other European countries, including France, Germany and Italy, had previously been granted visa-free travel to China.

^{China's Foreign minister Wang Yi during a press conference in Beijing on 7 March 2024 © Pedro Pardo / AFP}