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Shanghai receives over 10 mln visits during Spring Festival holiday

SHANGHAI, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- Shanghai received over 10 million visits during the seven-day Spring Festival holiday, with tourism revenue reaching 16.64 billion yuan (about 2.5 billion U.S. dollars), authorities said Friday.A staff member guides a passenger at Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station in east Chinas Shanghai, Jan. 21, 2023. (Photo: Xinhua)More than 500 cultural and tourism activities were rolled out to celebrate the Chinese New Year, according to the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism.The citys main tourist attractions received over 4.1 million visits, about 90 percent of the figure during the Spring Festival holiday in 2019.During the holiday, 72 museums and 39 art galleries across the megacity welcomed 500,000 visits and 230,000 visits, respectively, up 62 percent and 3 percent year on year.The citys world-renowned Huangpu River cruise tour received 72,400 visits, up 239 percent from a year ago.

China sees 308 million domestic tourist trips over Spring Festival holiday

Visitors at a scenic spot in Xichang City, southwest Chinas Sichuan Province, January 27, 2023. (Photo:CFP)China has measured about 308 million domestic tourist visits during the seven-day Spring Festival holiday, up 23.1 percent year on year, recovered to 88.6 percent for the same period in 2019, according to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism on Friday.Domestic tourism revenue reached 375.843 billion yuan, up 30 percent year-on-year, recovering to 73.1 percent of the same period in 2019.Chinas cultural and tourism market has remained stable and orderly during the holiday, which ends on Friday, it added.

Philippines to extend e-visa for Asian tourism market

File photo MANILA, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Thursday ordered government agencies to work on the extension of e-visa for travelers from major tourism markets in Asia, including China, to boost the recovery of the sector.The Presidential Communications Office said Marcos issued the directive during a meeting with a private-sector tourism advisory council that had recommended the inclusion of Indian nationals under the visa-upon-arrival program and the extension of e-visa to Chinese, Indian, South Korean and Japanese citizens.The government is collaborating on developing the technical plans, including various "connectivity matters."As a key economic driver, the tourism industrys contribution to the Philippines gross domestic product stood at 12.7 percent in 2019.Over 1.74 million Chinese tourists visited the Southeast Asian country in 2019. The Philippines has set a target for 2023 to lure some 4.8 million international visitors, with the Chinese tourist market remaining on its priority list.

China's outbound travel market sees recovery at Spring Festival

HANGZHOU, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- On the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year, a Chinese tourist surnamed Wu landed in Bangkok, Thailand, together with her parents, at the start of a long-awaited vacation. "I wanted to take my family to Thailand a few years ago, but it was put on hold due to the CO

China sees rise in railway trips ahead of Spring Festival

BEIJING, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- China saw a 27.3-percent year-on-year increase in railway passenger trips made during the 15 days ahead of this years Spring Festival, which falls on Sunday, according to the national railway operator.A high-speed train runs in Dalian, northeast Chinas Liaoning Province, October 3, 2020. (Photo: CFP)From Jan. 7 to Jan. 21, 109.5 million trips were made by train, 23.5 million more than last years pre-festival period, data from China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. shows.In the past two years, most Chinese people stayed put during the festival amid virus curbs, but the countrys shift in COVID-19 response has brought a change.The total number of passenger trips for this years 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, which began on Jan. 7, is expected to reach 2.1 billion, almost twice as much as last year or 70.3 percent of the 2019 reading, according to the Ministry of Transport.The growing travel demand is a result of Chinas recent downgrading of COVID-19 management from Class A to Class B.Under Class B management, travelers no longer need to present health codes and negative nucleic acid test results or undergo temperature checks when entering railway stations and airports.

Bali welcomes back 1st flight from China as COVID rules ease

A direct flight from China landed in Indonesias resort island of Bali for the first time in nearly three years on Sunday after the route was suspended due to the pandemic.Chinese tourists arrive at Ngurah Rai international airport in Bali, Indonesia on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023. (Photo: AP)At least 210 people were on board the chartered plane operated by Indonesias Lion Air from Shenzhen in Chinas southern Guangdong province.Some Chinese tourists who arrived at the airport in Bali said they were glad to have the chance to travel internationally again after China ended its strict COVID-19 restrictions."I feel very happy and relaxed. It was a long time we did not go abroad," said An Pei, a Chinese tourist who was on the flight.The flight followed the Chinese governments decision to lift travel restrictions announced on January 8 and it coincided with the start of the Lunar New Year, which was being marked Sunday.The Shenzhen-to-Bali route will operate once a week during its initial phase, according to a statement from Danang Mandala Prihantoro, a spokesperson for Lion Air.Indonesia is targeting 255,000 tourists from China in 2023. Indonesia recorded 94,924 visits from China from January to October 2022. More than 2 million tourists from China visited Indonesia each year before the pandemic.The return of Chinese tourists is expected to support the overall target of foreign tourist arrivals this year. Indonesia aims to record 3.5 million to 7.4 million foreign visits, said Sandiaga Uno, the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, in a statement Friday. China is one of the largest markets for inbound tourism in Indonesia."Based on online travel agent data in China, there has been an increase in search volume for overseas tourist destinations by 430%. Indonesia is in the top 5 searches and Balis search volume has increased by 250%," Uno said.Indonesias government is exploring ways to attract more Chinese tourists, including ...

Lunar New Year celebration kicks off at Disney California Adventure Park

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- The Lunar New Year celebration kicked off Friday at Disney California Adventure Park, ushering in a joyous tribute to Chinese and other Asian cultures.A file photo of Mickeys Fun Wheel at dusk in Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, the U.S. (Photo: VCG)Disneyland, home to Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park, has seen its annual Lunar New Year celebration explode in popularity in recent years. Filled with auspicious wishes for health, luck and prosperity throughout the new year, the celebration will last through Feb. 15 this year.The 2023 Chinese Lunar New Year falls on Sunday. It is based on a 12-year Zodiac cycle of characters, with 2023 being the Year of the Rabbit."The Chinese zodiac calendar plays a significant role in shaping the traditions, holidays and foods enjoyed in Asian communities all over the globe," wrote Kelsey Lynch, Public Relations Director at Disneyland Resort, in a Disney Parks Blog post."In Chinese culture, the rabbit has the unique characteristic of waiting for an opportune moment and then leaping into action. More than any other zodiac animal, the rabbit symbolizes luck," she noted.Mulans Lunar New Year Procession is one of the favorite spectacles for visitors from around the world. The vibrant performance hosted by Mulan, an ancient Chinese legendary heroine character, features dozens of spirited parade performers as they honor family, friendship, and the potential for a fortune-filled new year.Another centerpiece of the celebration is a dazzling nighttime water show, Hurry Home, which tells the tale of a little lanterns quest to reunite with family for the annual celebration of good luck and fortune. Accompanied by a stirring musical score, created by Academy Award-winning Chinese-born American composer Tan Dun, visitors will be immersed in the magic of a six-minute tale.The Lunar New Year celebration activities in the theme park include Chinese tr...

Selected outbound tours given go-ahead

Chinese tourists are welcomed by local officials and ground staff at Velana International Airport, Maldives, on Wednesday. China was the largest source of tourists in the Maldives for years before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019, nearly 300,000 Chinese tourists visited the Maldives, accounting for around 17 percent of the total tourist arrivals that year. (Photo: Xinhua)China will resume outbound group travel to a selected group of countries early next month, according to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.The ministry said in a notice on its website on Friday that a pilot program will take effect on Feb 6 to allow travel agencies to open outbound group travel for Chinese citizens to 20 countries - Thailand,Indonesia, Cambodia, the Maldives,Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Laos, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Kenya, South Africa, Russia, Switzerland, Hungary, New Zealand, Fiji, Cuba and Argentina.Travel agencies will also be allowed to offer flight and hotel packages to tourists starting the same time, according to the notice.The decision was made at the request of the foreign affairs panel of the State Councils Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism, the countrys top COVID-19 response task force, and was based on considerations over COVID-19 control measures and socioeconomic development, the ministry said.The notice stipulates that tour organizers strictly obey official COVID-19 measures at home and abroad. Tourists will be urged to make sure they are not infected with the highly contagious disease before boarding flights, pay attention to their own safety and health and follow local COVID-19 rules during the journey, and comply with epidemic prevention requirements after returning to their hometown.On social networking platform Sina Weibo, many micro-bloggers said in comments about the news that they were eager to travel overseas. A user named Elegance of Snow Lotus wrote, "I will travel around the world", whi...

International destinations thrilled to welcome back Chinese tourism

A Thai official gives a garland to Chinese tourists as they arrive at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Samut Prakarn province, Thailand, Monday, Jan. 9, 2023. (Photo:CFP)Soon after China downgraded its COVID-19 management measures, many Chinese tourists embarked on outbound travels. Many tourism destinations are thrilled to welcome them back."Egypt welcomes tourists from China with open arms, Chinese tourists are very important for the revival of Egypts tourism industry!" A travel agency manager in Egypt told Guangming Daily.Tourism is an important economic pillar and source of foreign exchange earnings for Egypt. Since the outbreak of the epidemic, tourism in Egypt has been hit hard, and the performance of the travel agency has dropped sharply."Chinas announcement that it will resume Chinese citizens traveling to qualified countries gives us hope. The Chinese-speaking guides of the travel agency will soon resume work. I look forward to Chinese friends visiting Egypt as soon as possible," the manager said.According to data from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), before the outbreak, China was one of the worlds leading consumers of outbound tourism. The optimized and adjusted epidemic prevention policy will have a positive impact on the development of China and the global tourism industry.It is expected that during the Spring Festival this year, overseas tourist destinations will welcome a large number of Chinese tourists going abroad.According to Trip.com, Chinas major travel booking agency, as of January 5, overseas travel orders during the 7-day Spring Festival surged by 540 percent compared with the same period last year, and the average order cost increased by 32 percent year on year.Among them, orders for travel to Melbourne, Australia during the Spring Festival increased by more than 50 times year on year, and travel orders to Bangkok, Thailand increased by more than 10 times."Cambodia welc...

International destinations thrilled to welcome back Chinese tourism

Soon after China downgraded its COVID-19 management measures, many Chinese tourists embarked on outbound travels. Many tourism destinations are thrilled to welcome them back.A Thai official gives a garland to Chinese tourists as they arrive at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Samut Prakarn province, Thailand, Monday, Jan. 9, 2023. (Photo: CFP)"Egypt welcomes tourists from China with open arms, Chinese tourists are very important for the revival of Egypts tourism industry!" A travel agency manager in Egypt told Guangming Daily.Tourism is an important economic pillar and source of foreign exchange earnings for Egypt. Since the outbreak of the epidemic, tourism in Egypt has been hit hard, and the performance of the travel agency has dropped sharply."Chinas announcement that it will resume Chinese citizens traveling to qualified countries gives us hope. The Chinese-speaking guides of the travel agency will soon resume work. I look forward to Chinese friends visiting Egypt as soon as possible," the manager said.According to data from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), before the outbreak, China was one of the worlds leading consumers of outbound tourism. The optimized and adjusted epidemic prevention policy will have a positive impact on the development of China and the global tourism industry.It is expected that during the Spring Festival this year, overseas tourist destinations will welcome a large number of Chinese tourists going abroad.According to Trip.com, Chinas major travel booking agency, as of January 5, overseas travel orders during the 7-day Spring Festival surged by 540 percent compared with the same period last year, and the average order cost increased by 32 percent year on year.Among them, orders for travel to Melbourne, Australia during the Spring Festival increased by more than 50 times year on year, and travel orders to Bangkok, Thailand increased by more than 10 times."Cambodia welc...

China's reopening provides much-needed jolt to global tourism: UNWTO

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is bullish about the tourism industry in 2023 and believes Chinas recent reopening will deliver a much-needed jolt to global tourism recovery and growth.UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili delivers a speech at the 24th edition of the UNWTO general assembly, at the Palacio de Cibeles, in Madrid, Spain, November 30, 2021. (Photo: CFP)"The removal of COVID-19-related travel restrictions in China is a significant and much-welcomed step to the recovery of the tourism sector in Asia and the Pacific and worldwide," Zurab Pololikashvili, secretary-general of the UNWTO, wrote in a written reply to CGTN on Wednesday.On January 8, China further relaxed COVID-19 restrictions on international passenger flights in a move that is expected to greatly invigorate global tourism with the revival of the countrys inbound and outbound travel.Pololikashvili told CGTN that Chinese travelers will offer a boost to a flagging world economy.He cited UNTWO data showing that in the years before COVID-19 hit, China was the worlds top source market in terms of volume and spending.China recorded 154 million outbound trips in 2019 with expenditure hitting $254.6 billion, accounting for 17 percent of all spending on tourism internationally. At the same time, China was the fourth most visited destination pre-pandemic in 2019 with 65.7 million tourists."In the short term, we expect to see a strong rebound, particularly in Asian destinations," said Pololikashvili.UNWTOs forward-looking scenarios for 2023. (Graphic: UN World Tourism Organization)Despite diverse challenges facing the industry like expected economic downturns and continued geopolitical uncertainties, Pololikashvili anticipates a strong year for the sector in 2023.International tourist arrivals could reach 80 percent to 95 percent of pre-pandemic levels this year, according to a UNWTO press release issued on Tuesday. Howev...

Japan records 3.8 mln foreign visitors in 2022

TOKYO, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- The number of foreign visitors to Japan in 2022 reached 3.83 million, a 15-fold increase from the previous year, after the phased easing of COVID-19 border restrictions, government data showed Wednesday.Foreign tourists shop around at a souvenir shop near a temple in Tokyo, Japan on October 17, 2022. (Photo: AP)Despite the surge in the number of foreign tourists, last years figure was still 88 percent lower than the record high of 31.88 million in the pre-pandemic year of 2019, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO).The figures have been gradually increasing since Japan removed the daily entry cap and resumed visa-free entry for individual travelers in October last year.In December alone, the number of foreign visitors to Japan was 1.37 million, a significant increase from 12,084 a year earlier, the JNTO said.The JNTO also said overseas visitors spent 595.2 billion yen (about 4.54 billion U.S. dollars) between October and December, about half the amount for the same period in 2019.

Personnel flow at entry & exit points in China reaches 500,000 per day, up by 48%: immigration authorities

Passengers from Hong Kong arrive at Beijing Capital International Airport on January 8, 2023. (Photo: VCG)Since China downgraded its COVID-19 management on January 8, the daily average of people passing through entrance and exit points has reached 501,000, up by over 48 percent than before the announcement of COVID policy shift, according to official data on Tuesday. Lin Yongsheng, spokesperson for the National Immigration Administration, said at a press conference on Tuesday that the current daily average amount is about a quarter of pre-epidemic level. Opening more than 3,200 windows for immigration document application and 53 ports nationwide, authorities have received an average of 341,000 entry and exit documents per day, up 130 percent before the policy announcement, reaching more than half of pre-epidemic level, the spokesperson said. On average, it will take less than 30 minutes at entry and exit points at major ports at Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Zhuhai in South Chinas Guangdong Province, and Manzhouli of North Chinas Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Lin noted. "With Chinas COVID management entering a new phase, the National Immigration Administration has rolled out optimized measures to actively promote personnel exchanges between China and overseas," Lin said. "It is expected that with the orderly resumption of immigration processing works and passenger clearance at various ports, the number of permits issued by public security authorities and personnel flow will continue to grow, gradually returning to pre-epidemic levels," Lin noted. According to the latest data, a total of about 65 million residents from the Chinese mainland entered and exited the country in 2022, about 10 million less than in 2021. In addition, some 47 million residents from Chinas Hong Kong and Macao regions and 4.5 million foreign nationals have entered and exited the country in 2022, mounting to a total of 116 million persons...

Cambodia expects 4 mln int'l tourists this year after China's pandemic strategy optimization

Photo taken on Sept. 19, 2020 shows the statue of late Cambodian King Father Norodom Sihanouk in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. (Photo: Xinhua)PHNOM PENH, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia is projected to receive 4 million international tourists in 2023 after Chinas optimization of its COVID-19 strategy early this month, a tourism official said on Tuesday.Kong Sopheareak, director of Tourism Statistics Department at the Ministry of Tourism, said China is the most important outbound tourism market for the world, and Chinas optimization of its COVID-19 strategy is a boon not only for Cambodia, but also for global tourism."We hope that more Chinese tourists, business people and investors will come to Cambodia, given close relationship between our two countries and peoples," he told Xinhua."The presence of Chinese tourists is vital to help boost our tourism and economy," he added.According to Sopheareak, the Southeast Asian nation welcomed 2.28 million international tourists in 2022. Of them, 106,875 were Chinese tourists.Cambodias Tourism Minister Thong Khon told Xinhua last week that Cambodia is ready to welcome the return of Chinese people, tourists, business people and investors."Chinas resumption of outbound tourism is very beneficial not only to Cambodia, but also to the whole world," he said. "We hope that Cambodia will attract at least 1 million Chinese tourists in 2023."Tourism is one of the four major pillars supporting Cambodias economy. In the pre-pandemic era, the kingdom registered 6.6 million international tourists in 2019, generating 4.92 billion U.S. dollars in revenue that contributed 12.1 percent to the countrys Gross Domestic Product (GDP).The kingdom is famous for its three world heritage sites, namely the Angkor Archaeological Park, the Preah Vihear Temple, and the Sambor Prei Kuk Archaeological Site.Besides, it has a 450-km pristine coastline stretching across four southwestern provinces.

Macao welcomes tourists from near and far ahead of Spring Festival

MACAO, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinas Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) is welcoming tourists from home and abroad with festive celebrations and diverse cultural and entertainment events ahead of the coming Spring Festival.View of Macao tower at sunset. (Photo: VCG)The festival, or the Chinese Lunar New Year, which falls on Jan. 22 this year, is the most important occasion for the Chinese to celebrate family reunions and anticipate blessings for the lunar new year.Long queues of customers lined up in front of Macaos old stores selling local specialties. Crowds of tourists filled the steps of the landmark Ruins of St. Pauls. Airliners, shipping companies, and cross-border bus operators were busy transporting travellers speaking different languages.With inbound travel restrictions further eased, the Macao SAR is welcoming a surge of tourists from near and far, including the mainland, Chinas Hong Kong SAR and Taiwan region, as well as other countries, ahead of the Spring Festival.Starting Jan. 8, no nucleic acid test results for COVID-19 are required for visitors entering Macao from the mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan.In addition, no prior approval or quarantine is required for foreigners to enter the Macao SAR.Figures from the Macao Government Tourism Office showed that around 55,000 visitors entered Macao on Saturday, a single-day record high since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic three years ago.A tourist surnamed Du from the mainlands Sichuan Province said she and her family chose to come to Macao as soon as entry restrictions were eased."We have stayed here for four days, visiting the scenic spots and the beach. We enjoyed the citys night view very much," she told Xinhua.The Civil Aviation Authority of the Macao SAR said it had approved of applications from several airlines for resuming or increasing passenger flights.Currently, Macao is connected with 21 mainland cities, Hong Kong, one city in Taiwan and six more ci...

Asia-Pacific countries eager to welcome back Chinese tourists

Tourists from a Xiamen Airlines flight are greeted by a Thai government official as they arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok on Jan 9, after China removed COVID-19 travel restrictions. (Photo by Yang Wanli/China Daily)Nation's optimized COVID-19 policies inject impetus to regional tourismChina

Badaling Great Wall to open at night during Spring Festival holiday

Photo: CCTVBadaling Great Wall will open to the public at night during the Spring Festival holiday. Visitors can make reservations through its WeChat official account "changchengneiwai".Photo: CCTVAuthorities in charge of Badaling Great Wall will provide transport for tourists to facilitate their visit the Great Wall at night from Jan 21 to Jan 27. Buses will operate from 16:30 to 21:00. Visitors can reserve bus tickets through “changchengneiwai” as well.(Compiled by Liu Hanyi)Photo: CCTV

Switzerland's Jungfrau expects more Chinese tourists

(File photo: Xinhua)GRINDELWALD, Switzerland, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The popular scenic spot and winter sports resort, Jungfrau in Switzerland, expects to attract more Chinese tourists and sports fans in the near future.With Chinas recent optimization of its COVID-19 response and gradual restoration of Chinese citizens overseas travel, Jungfrau has prepared for a surge in Chinese tourists this ski season."Its very important to give our most valuable customers from China a very special welcome. We have carved rabbits in ice because its the Chinese Lunar [New] Year of the Rabbit. Its the first time," said Urs Kessler, chief executive officer (CEO) of Jungfraubahnen Management.As the Chinese Spring Festival is around the corner, Chinese lanterns and custom-made illuminations will also be put up at Grindelwald Terminal, a new transportation hub for the three mountains in the Jungfrau ski region, to create a festive atmosphere."I strongly believe that China has incredible potential for the future. Thats the reason why we have these promotions," Kessler said.He has even cooperated with a Chinese food company to open a noodle restaurant at the center of the Grindelwald Terminal."I think we have a great future and we received great help from Jungfrau. Weve prepared different flavored noodles for every guest from Asia," said Michael Shi, CEO of Lototravel, who opened King Noodle Bar last month in the terminal.In 2002, the Jungfrau signed a sister-mountain relationship with Huangshan, a mountain range in southern Anhui Province in east China.Jungfrau, meaning maiden or virgin in German, has long been known in China for its breathtaking view. At "Jungfraujoch -- Top of Europe," the highest railway station in Europe at the altitude of 3,454 meters above sea level, the landscape of Switzerland, France, Germany and Italy can be viewed simultaneously.To better serve the tourists, a new cableway was upgraded in...

Thailand launches new campaign to restore tourism

Bangkok (Peoples Daily) – Thailand launched a new campaign to attract international tourists on Thursday.The Southeast Asia kingdom announced that its "Visit Thailand Year 2023: Amazing New Chapters" campaign is expected to generate a revenue of 2.38 trillion baht ($71.9 billion) from tourism in 2023, representing an 80 percent recovery compared to pre-pandemic levels.The launch of the "Visit Thailand Year 2023: Amazing New Chapters" campaign took place in the building of the Tourism Authority of Thailand. (Photos by Li Baijia)Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Governor Yuthasak Supasorn said at a media conference that "The 2023 target is a result of a carefully planned strategy to continue the milestone achievement of 2022. The Visit Thailand Year 2023 campaign represents a commitment from TAT and all stakeholders in the public and private sectors as well as the Thai people to maintain tourists confidence in Thailand as a preferred tourist destination.TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn."TAT has integrated policy, planning, technology and innovation into the promotion and development of high value and sustainable tourism in Thailand. This includes elevating the tourism supply with the aim of offering experience-based tourism and leveraging the kingdoms 5F soft-power foundations -- Food, Film, Festival, Fighting and Fashion -- to strengthen its "Amazing Thailand" brand.The "Visit Thailand Year 2022" campaign was an energetic economic driver for the country. In the new year, TAT expects to welcome 25 million international tourists and inspire 250 million domestic trips in 2023. The target for overall tourism revenue is 2.38 trillion baht, comprising 670-880 billion baht from domestic tourism and 1.5 trillion baht from international tourism.

See how countries are reacting to more cross-border travel from China

China began loosening its COVID restrictions last December, which brought about a surge in COVID cases in the country. Recently China further relaxed its COVID travel requirements and lifted the mandatory quarantine, which was met with different reactions from around the world.Photo: CFPChina lifted its mandatory quarantine requirement on Sunday for travelers coming from abroad. The new policy marks a change to strict COVID measures that lasted for three years in China.Many travelers celebrated the relief of not having to go through strict quarantine requirements."I come back from England, well, my family is all here, for Chinese New Year. And it has been for three years, its been too long. Im so happy to be back, and breathe Chinese air," said Li Hua a traveler from the UK.Anita, a traveler from Poland said she was happy to visit family and return to China where she works. "I have been working in China for four years, and after three years I had a chance to go to Europe and return to Beijing without any quarantine, any restrictions, so thats all, I just visited my family and spent Christmas time in my country," she said.The loosening of COVID restrictions which started last December brought about a surge in COVID cases in China. However, the World Health Organization last week found no new variants coming from the mainland.Hans Kluge, Regional Director for the WHOs European region said no new variants are coming from China. "From the information available to WHO, the surge of two virus variants circulating in China are those that have already been seen in Europe and elsewhere," Kluge said. "We share the current view of the European Centre for Disease Control, ECDC, that an ongoing surge in China is not anticipated to significantly impact the COVID-19 epidemiological situation in the WHO European Region at this time."The loosening of cross-border travel restriction was met with mixed reactions from different cou...

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