More direct flights, visa-free policy link China, Hungary better: Hungarian tourism chief

China's visa-free policy for Hungarians and more direct flights between the two countries will further bolster people-to-people exchanges, said Hungarian tourism chief in Budapest on Wednesday.

On March 14, citizens of Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium and Luxembourg began to enjoy visa-free entry and stay in China for up to 15 days for business, tourism, family visits, or transit.

In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Konnyid Laszlo, CEO of the Hungarian Tourism Agency, said the policy has stimulated more travels of the two peoples.

"We already see a 10 percent increase after the first four months this year on the number of guest nights. But starting from summer, we will have seven Chinese cities having a direct flight to Budapest. And with these seven cities, we will be the most frequented destination in Central and Eastern Europe. No other city will have a direct connection with seven flights to China. This is an enormous opportunity, we will be able to dramatically increase the number of guest nights from China. But let me frank, not only Chinese guests will arrive to Budapest. We will have the opportunity for Hungarian people visiting China in our cultural exchange because Hungarians are really keen and curious what China has to offer. We will have more opportunity to visit beautiful Chinese cities," he said.

Laszlo said the increased direct flights between the two countries will give Hungarians more choices while visiting China.

"After the decision of China to offer this opportunity for Hungarians to visit China without a visa, we see an increase in numbers of Hungarian people booking travel to China. Now having seven Chinese cities, more than 20 flights a week to several destinations, there is an opportunity to choose a destination. If a Hungarian is flying to China, normally on the travel plan there's always Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong. But now we have more cities to offer for our travelers, for Hungarians to visit China," he said.

More direct flights, visa-free policy link China, Hungary better: Hungarian tourism chief

The eighth China-Africa Youth Festival kicked off in Beijing on Monday, as part of the efforts to implement the outcomes of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

The eight-day event, co-hosted by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation, has attracted many outstanding young representatives from 52 African member countries of the forum to experience Chinese traditional culture and observe the country's development together with Chinese youth.

At the opening ceremony, attendees noted the longstanding partnership between China and Africa as the two sides have always been a community with a shared future. The event highlights the crucial role of youth in promoting China-Africa relations and shaping a promising future for both sides.

For Zimbabwe, events like the China-Africa Youth Festival will undoubtedly play a key role in promoting the country's development, facilitating deep intellectual exchanges with China and allowing for learning from China's economic development experience, according to John Paradza, deputy secretary general of the Youth League of the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (Zanu PF), Zimbabwe's ruling party.

During this year's festival, African youths will experience Chinese traditions by visiting iconic sites like the Great Wall, and travel to Zhejiang Province in east China to witness the country's efforts in rural revitalization. Additionally, the event will also include a China-Africa Youth Dialogue and the launch of a China-Africa friendship initiative.

8th China-Africa Youth Festival kicks off in Beijing