1st tour group lands in Hainan under latest visa-free policy

A tour group on Wednesday afternoon landed in south China's Hainan Province, marking the first group of overseas visitors to enjoy a new 144-hour visa-free entry policy issued by the country.

According to China's National Immigration Administration (NIA), people from countries with diplomatic relations with China can visit the southern island province visa-free for 144 hours via tour groups registered in Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions.

Effective on Tuesday, the policy applies to all state-established open ports in the province and the travel scope is limited to the administrative region of Hainan.

Currently, the province boasts the most favorable visa-free entry policies in China, with more than 80 percent of the foreign tourists enter visa-free.

According to the NIA, it will continue to optimize and improve regional visa-free entry policies, further advance a more open immigration management system and warmly welcome foreign nationals to visit China.

"Foreign tour groups can enter via tour groups within the stipulated 144-hour period. If any visitor of the tour group needs to leave the group for personal reasons, they can apply to the provincial immigration management authorities. After going through certain procedures, they can exit the country individually," said Rao Jun, a border check official with the Haikou General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection.

1st tour group lands in Hainan under latest visa-free policy

Vice President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Gilles Carbonnier on Saturday said he was encouraged by the humanitarian organization's deepening relationship with China.

In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) during the 11th Xiangshan Forum, Carbonnier said the ICRC has not only been engaged in dialogue with China and other states, but has also welcomed the country's involvement in the launch of programs to help people affected by conflicts.

"China is definitely a major player. We really are very encouraged to see that our relationship with the PLA, with the People's Liberation Army, with the Ministry of Defense deepening on several issues of common interest, especially on International Humanitarian Law and humanitarian priorities. We at the ICRC really look forward to developing this dialogue, of course, here in Beijing, but also as we're doing in Geneva, in New York, as well as in the field, for example, where Chinese peacekeepers are also active," he said.

The three-day Xiangshan Forum opened on Thursday in Beijing, attracting more than 500 representatives of official delegations from more than 100 countries and international organizations, and over 200 experts and scholars to discuss global security.

At the forum, Carbonnier delivered a speech on the topic of the international mechanism and global security governance.

In'tl Red Cross Committee vice president hails deepening ties with China