北京72小时过境免签证政策

As of next January 1, Beijing authorities will allow tourists holding third-country visas and plane tickets to apply for a transit without visa, or TWOV, at Beijing Capital International Airport.

City authorities say that foreign tourists from 45 countries, including the United States, Russia, Japan, Brazil and most European countries, will be able to stay in Beijing for 72 hours without a Chinese visa, provided they hold a valid passport and flight ticket for a departure from the capital within the 72-hour period.

The policy is put in place to encourage passengers with layovers in Beijing to get out of the airport and explore the city for a day or two. City authorities say the number of foreign tourists in Beijing may double because of the policy.

An initial survey conducted by Beijing's tourism department in April supported the rationale behind the visa-free policy. About 60 percent of respondents interviewed at Beijing airport terminals said they were willing to visit the city if they could do so without a visa. Most respondents were enthusiastic about visiting Beijing's well-known tourist spots, going shopping, and sampling the local cuisine. American businessman David Brookman shares the view.

"It will help a lot. I live in the United States in a place quite a ways a way from a consulate. So when I get a visa, it takes two weeks to get a visa or more sometimes. But if I don't have to have a visa, it means I can come here for three days' worth of work with Chinese companies in Beijing. It will be very nice for me."

In preparation for the coming policy, Beijing Capital International Airport has set up four special lanes for foreign layover passengers, and airlines are being urged to schedule more layovers in the capital.

Huo Li is deputy director of the Inspection Department at the Beijing General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection.

"When the visa-free policy is in place, the Inspection Department will open a special zone. Four lanes have been especially set up for foreign layover passengers."

Travel agencies are also designing services for this new tourist niche and have begun advertising in 45 countries around the world. Shopping malls, restaurants and tourist sites in Beijing have been making plans to extend their business hours, given that foreign tourists with only a few days will want to make the most of their time in the city.

Wang Yue, deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism Development, says the policy could be an incentive that would boost the local tourism industry.

"The tourism services we offer should be the kind of innovative services which can be enjoyed within 72 hours. They should fulfill the needs of these foreign tourists. I think this is a good opportunity for us to expose the plentiful cultural heritage of Beijing to more tourists."

Beijing will become the first Chinese mainland city to embrace a 72-hour visa-free period for foreign tourists. Shanghai allows foreigners to stay in the city for 48 hours without a visa.

For CRI, I am Li Dong.