Country eases visas for US citizens
China DailyChina has eased visa applications for people visiting from the United States to boost people-to-people exchanges, according to a statement from the Chinese embassy in Washington. Tourist visa applicants within the US will no longer be required to submit a round-trip air ticket booking record, proof of hotel reservation, itinerary or invitation letter, the embassy's statement said. In November, China announced a unilateral visa-free policy for ordinary passport holders from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia on a trial basis, according to a statement published on the Chinese Foreign Ministry's website on Nov 24. Citizens from the 54 countries are exempt from visa requirements during transit for 72 or 144 hours when heading for a third nation, said the National Immigration Administration, adding that this move aims to serve high-standard opening-up, facilitate the mobility of Chinese and foreign nationals, and promote international exchanges.