Currently, there are five portsof entry in Shandong where the 240-hour transit visa-free policy applies. [Photo/Qilu News]

　　China announced on Dec 17that it will significantlyrelaxits visa-free transit policy, extending the period of stay for foreign travelers and expanding the list of accessible portsof entry and provincial-level regions, in order to further promote openness and people-to-people exchanges.

　　For foreign nationals from the 54 countries already covered by the transit visa-free policy, the duration of stay has been extended from 72or 144 hours to 240 hours. The policy coverage area has expanded from the original 19 provinces and 39 entry ports to 24 provinces and 60 open ports.

　　Among the 21 newly added ports in the relaxed transit visa-free policy, three airportsin Shandong have been included, namely Yaoqiang in Jinan, Penglai in Yantai, and Dashuibo in Weihai. These three airports, along with Qingdao'sJiaodong International Airport and theQingdao Port, are currently five ports where the 240-hour transit visa-free policy applies in Shandong. There are still other portsof entryin Shandong that are still underthe 72/144-hour transit visa-free policy.