Foreign tourists go through customs at the Beijing Daxing International Airport in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)

　　Fueled by the upgraded visa-free policy, “China Travel“ went viral online, a trending social media hashtag with over 1 billion views as travelers shared their experiences in China.

　　by Xinhua writer Chen Wangqi

　　BEIJING, March 2 (Xinhua) -- As China moves forward with an unprecedented expansion of its unilateral visa-free policy, some Western media have rushed to downplay the significance of this effort for greater global openness.

　　In a recent report, Bloomberg called the visa-free policy a bid “falling flat“ and “well short of the near full recovery Beijing would have been hoping for.“ However, a closer look at China's latest efforts to advance its opening-up strategy reveals a different picture.

　　For more than a year, Beijing has expanded the policy to 38 countries, accommodating more entry purposes and extending the permitted stay to 30 days. And far from falling short, the unilateral visa-free policy has proven successful and stands as a key testament to China's determination to further integrate itself into the global economy.

　　Immigration officer Chen Miao (1st R) handles transit visa exemption procedures for tourists from the U.S. at the immigration area of Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 28, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Zhonghao)

　　“CHINA TRAVEL“ BECOMES NEW TREND