EU may ease restrictions in bid to lure more of nation's 122 million outbound tourists

The European Union may introduce a 10-year multi-entry visa for Chinese citizens in a bid to attract more tourists as the two sides seek to deepen cooperation within the Belt and Road Initiative, says a senior European Parliament leader.

Ujhelyi Istvan, vice-chair of the EU transport and tourism committee, revealed the proposal in the run-up to the China-EU summit, scheduled on June 1 and 2.

"I think the leaders of both sides will be putting on the table the issue of easing visa procedures and expanding the length of validity," Istvan says.

He says that people-to-people exchanges are becoming more important between China and Europe, and he has been pushing for an extension of visa length since his taking up the position in 2014.

Istvan says the EU has formed a visa strategy to attract more tourists, especially those from China, and it has been put on the table for the European Council, which decides the bloc's political direction, to approve.

"But it has been delayed due to rising terrorist attacks and the flood of migrants to some member states. The proposed maximum length of the multiple visa is 10 years," says Istvan. "The proposal is targeted at all countries outside Europe, including China."

The EU needs to take efficient measures to attract more Chinese tourists. For example, the number traveling to France decreased by 20 percent last year, due to safety concerns following terrorist attacks. Istvan believes Premier Li Keqiang will be discussing the issue with his European counterpart, to be implemented along with agreements leaders achieved during the Belt and Road Forum held in Beijing on May 14 and 15.

But he has not confirmed the final decision of the EU regarding the length of the visa. After China and the United States agreed in 2014 on a 10-year multiple entry visa policy for businessmen and short-term tourists, Australia, Thailand, Singapore, Japan and several other countries started to implement the mutually beneficial visa policy.

A year ago, China and the EU signed a reciprocal short-stay visa waiver agreement for holders of diplomatic passports, though it does not apply to the United Kingdom and Ireland. The EU took measures in 2015 to set up visa centers in 15 Chinese cities that do not have embassies or consulates for EU nations.

Some European countries that are not members of the EU have taken even-more decisive measures to attract Chinese overseas tourists, who numbered more than 122 million last year.

Serbia became the first European country to offer visa-free entry to Chinese in a reciprocal agreement in January.

Istvan says China and the EU have already agreed to give next year a theme of tourism promotion.

"I think this is a very good opportunity for both sides to ease visa procedures and extend the length of stay," he says.

Istvan launched the Europe China One Belt One Road culture and tourism development committee in 2015 to further deepen cooperation between China and Europe. He acted as chairman.

"We are going to organize many events next year to enhance two-way flows of travelers," he says, adding that his committee is among the leading organizers of the China-EU Year of Tourism activities. The yearlong event will be kicked off in Venice, Italy, at the beginning of 2018.

"We are seeking partnership with organizations and businesses to inject new energy into this bilateral initiative to boost people-to-people exchanges," Istvan says.

fujing@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily Africa Weekly 05/26/2017 page7)