China Begins Issuing Visa to Foreign Tourists, Are You Ready to Go?
China, the birthplace of the Covid-19 pandemic, has announced that it will resume issuing visas to foreign tourists for the first time since the virus outbreak three years ago. Apparently, the country has declared victory over the virus and is now ready to welcome visitors with open arms. How very generous of them! Valid visas issued before China closed its doors to the world on 28 March 2020 will be honoured starting on 15 March. Visa-free entry will also resume in Hainan Island and Shanghai for cruise ships. Tour groups from Hong Kong and Macau will be allowed visa-free entry, and Chinese consular offices abroad will also resume processing visa applications. Who wouldn't want to visit a country that has had such a great track record in handling pandemics? The removal of the last cross-border restrictions imposed to tackle Covid marks a major step towards the resumption of normal life in post-pandemic China. Yes, because nothing says "normal life" like a gove