The Chinese government published a draft law on Monday, September 19, aimed at developing tourism and making it easier for foreigners from neighboring countries to enter China.
According to the draft published by China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism, tour groups organized by travel agencies will be able to travel to China's border regions. At the same time, it is assumed that tourists will be allowed to determine their own entry and exit points, that is, it can be assumed that it will be possible to cross the border in different places. Details of when this project will come into force and the list of permitted countries have not yet been made public.
China closed its borders to foreign tourists at the very beginning of 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic was in its infancy. Few have been able to "travel" to China in the past two years, perhaps only those with valid special visas.
This summer, the Chinese government significantly tightened its COVID-19 control restrictions to limit the spread of the Omicron strain. In September, full or partial quarantines were introduced in many metropolitan areas.
So, according to the new draft, foreign tourists will be allowed to visit China's border tourist sites, but only as part of groups organized by travel agencies.
However, it is not specified whether tourists will still have to comply with the requirements of China's current quarantine - a week of isolation in a hotel and three days of self-monitoring at home.