China's visa-free policy helps more foreigners better understand China: overseas influencers

China Travel has become a popular trend on social media, with foreign tourists sharing their experiences in China through videos. The trend has garnered millions of views and is motivating more people to explore the country.

As the country experiences a surge in popularity among international tourists, three foreign influencers have shared their travel and life experiences in China with China Global Television Network (CGTN).

Kourosh Kamyabi, a social media influencer from Canada who runs the account KSquared, said Shanghai's charm deeply attracted him.

"I saw a video online of what Shanghai looks like today. I said wow. I never see this. I have to go check this out. We went to Shanghai, and it was such a beautiful, modern city, very grand, very nice," he said.

On his first trip, Kamyabi visited the site of the first National Congress of the Communist Party of China, describing it as a valuable and enjoyable experience that deepened his understanding of the country.

"That museum gave me an idea of why this party came to be. It seems like China historically was being treated really bad and really unfair. So it seems like some strong figures had to come into power to make China a respectable country, a more powerful country. And that explains why China is where it is today," he said.

In the first five months of 2024, China welcomed over 12 million foreign travelers, with more than 7 million benefiting from visa-free entry. Citizens from 54 countries can enter China through 37 designated ports with valid travel documents and stay for up to 144 hours.

Kamyabi expressed his intention to obtain a longer-term visa for his next trip to China, as he plans to spend an extended period - ideally two weeks to a month - exploring the country.

Paul Ashton, an American social media influencer who has been living in China for seven years, coined the popular catchphrase "City by City," a blend of English and Chinese that is rapidly gaining traction on social media.

"A lot of us that are here have known for a while, we're based here, because we know China's got a lot to offer," he said.

Foreign visitors now frequently associate China with safety, modernity, cleanliness, and kindness - qualities that are also leading many to choose to settle in the country.

Antoine Bunel, a Frenchman who has lived in China for over a decade, has gained significant popularity by creating food content on social media.

"Pretty much every time I discover new dishes, the variety, probably without a doubt, surpasses all of the food that we have in France and probably even in Europe combined. China is a huge country, and it's a never-ending source of pleasure for me," Antoine said.

Having lived in China for many years, Paul and Antoine, who know the country inside out, said they are far from getting bored. They noted that there is always something new to experience in China, whether for first-time visitors, long-term residents, or even locals.

Paul emphasized that travel is the best way to better understand foreigners, as it allows people to experience cultures firsthand and engage directly with those who live there.

"Travel is such an amazing way for people to kind of subvert global narratives, to be able to actually experience a culture firsthand, to talk to people that are there. I think it is always a healthy way for us to better understand each other internationally," said Paul.

China's visa-free policy helps more foreigners better understand China: overseas influencers

Long-standing challenges in Mexico's automotive industry have been exacerbated with the implementation of the U.S. tariff on imported cars, which took effect Thursday, fueling uncertainty and job losses.

Last month, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 25 percent tariff on all imported automobiles.

Ciudad Juarez, one of Mexico's largest trade ports and a key manufacturing hub, is now facing even greater challenges as rising trade protectionism deepens existing pressures.

At a medal parts manufacturing factory that has been in operation for over 30 years, the workforce has drastically reduced from 60 workers to just 25 due to uncertainty about the future.

Even before the U.S. tariffs on imported cars took effect, mounting pressure had already begun to ripple through the industry, prompting many companies to suspend investment and procurement plans.

"Some 95 percent of the products exported from Chihuahua, where Ciudad Juarez is located, are industrial manufactured goods. We have held multiple meetings to discuss solutions. In fact, over the past year and a half, more than 55,000 factory workers here in the city have lost their jobs," said the owner of the factory.

The automotive industry is a key pillar of Mexico's economy, generating nearly 100 billion U.S. dollars in output. The auto parts assembly industry alone provides over 900,000 jobs for the country, while automotive assembly companies create 175,000 jobs.

According to statistics from the Mexican Association of Automotive Dealers (AMDA), over 40 percent of the components used by American auto manufacturers are imported from Mexico. Last year, Mexico produced four million cars, approximately three million of which were exported to the U.S.

Industry insiders indicate that due to the high degree of interdependence in the sector between the U.S. and Mexico, along with a shortage of skilled labor, the U.S. goal of bringing automotive manufacturing back to its shores through tariffs is unlikely to be realized in the short term.

Moreover, the established industrial chain in Mexico faces the risk of being disrupted, which will ultimately have repercussions on consumer spending and further exacerbate inflation in the long run.

"Young people from the U.S. are no longer willing to work in the manufacturing sector. I believe there will be no growth in the relocation of automotive parts and vehicles factories in the short term," said Guillermo Rosales Zarate, ADMA's executive president.

"Personally, I hope this avalanche of tariffs doesn't continue; otherwise, it will lead to more significant issues affecting the U.S. economy. If these tariffs remain in place long-term, it will be the American people who suffer the most," said Ricardo Ramos, a professor with the Autonomous University of Ciudad Juarez.

U.S. automotive tariffs deepen industry pressures, halt investments in Mexico