'Just in time': tourism industry lauds China visa shift

Australians will be able to stay in China visa-free for one month, in a move the nation’s tourism industry hopes will boost the flow of travellers for both countries.

The Chinese Embassy in Canberra on Monday announced visa-free travel for Australian citizens will be extended to 30 days from November 30.

The extension will be in place until the end of 2025.

“Citizens holding ordinary passports of Australia travelling to China for business, tourism, family visit, transit and exchange purposes and with the duration of each single stay not exceeding 30 days, are eligible for visa-free entry policy,” the statement reads.

Tourism and Transport Forum chief executive Margy Osmond said the rule change had come “just in time” for Australia’s holiday season.

“This is great news,” she told AAP.

“In such a busy time of year, taking visa applications off the to-do list will be weight off the mind for any travellers headed to China.

“We hope to see this boost the flow of travellers between our two countries and, in kind, be able to welcome more tourists from China down to our own shores.”

Beijing extended the visa-free arrangement for 38 countries or territories.

These also include a number of European states in addition to Japan, South Korea and New Zealand.

Following heightened diplomatic tensions between China and Australia in 2020, Beijing has gradually removed trade sanctions, as the two countries seek to increase people-to-people connections and business opportunities.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Brazil, where he stressed the importance of dialogue and free trade.

China recorded 8.19 million foreign visitors in the third quarter of 2024, an almost 50 per cent increase on the same period last year.