China's latest visa-free policy has provided new travel choices for Europeans, attracting local tour agencies to explore new business opportunities in China's tourism market while helping boost people-to-people exchange.
Viktor Vereb, manager of Hiseas Travel Agency in Hungary, has been promoting Hungary and Central Europe as the travel destinations for Chinese tourists for over a decade. As China's new visa policy offers many Europeans a chance to take a look around China, he has been exploring business opportunities the other way.
"China is a very fascinating and interesting country. On the one hand, they have their rich history that goes back 5,000 years, and on the other hand, that rapid and robust development they have been through in the past 20 years, 30 years, 40 years, I think, you have to see this, Europeans have to see this," said Vereb.
And in Slovakia, experts expect that the number of visits to China will triple compared to past statistics.
"We want to promote China as a luxury destination. You can fly in very good business class, you can stay in five star hotels and you can explore the traditional culture. And this will be the main topic of our campaign. And of course, without visa, it's so easy," said Jozef Zeliznak, marketing director of Bubo Travel agency.
The visa-free policy turns out to be especially attractive for the younger generation. As the current policy applies mostly to tourists, they are expecting that it could pave the way for more academic exchanges between European countries and China, allowing them to know China deeper and more directly.
"Then you can really see what the society there is really like and be a part of it and learn all of it, basically, more than you would as a tourist," said Hanna Leindl, a student from Vienna University.
China's visa-free policy provides new travel choices for Europeans
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on Monday that Iran has obtained extensive documents and evidence linking the recent unrest across the country to the U.S. and Israel, noting that Mossad agents attempted to direct such "terrorist acts."
Araghchi said at a press conference in Tehran that since Dec 28, 2025, Iran had seen peaceful demonstrations organized by industry associations and economic professional. In the following days, more participants joined, and the situation gradually escalated from peaceful rallies into violent clashes.
Beginning on Jan 8, terrorists and armed groups carrying weapons entered protest sites and opened fire on police and civilians, with the aim of steering demonstrations toward violence, bloodshed and chaos, he said.
"Israeli media reports are rife with claims that Israel has designed and conducted operations in Iran. Mr. [Mike] Pompeo, who was Trump's CIA director, said on his X that 'Happy New Year to every Iranian in the streets. Also to every Mossad agent walking beside them.' This clearly shows that Mossad agents attempted to direct such terrorist acts," the minister said. Addressing military threats from the U.S. and Israel, Araghchi said Iran does not seek war but is fully prepared to face up to war. He added that Iran is ready for serious and pragmatic negotiations with the U.S., but the talks must be based on fairness, equality and mutual respect, rather than unilateral pressure or directives from Washington.
On the same day, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei condemned the U.S. and Israel at a regular press briefing in Tehran. He said the two countries have made "extensive interventionist remarks" regarding Iran's situation, saying such statements are intended to foment chaos, violence and instability.
The spokesman said Iran is closely monitoring the development of the situation and remains fully prepared, warning that Iran's armed forces will respond to any act of aggression by its enemies.
Mossad agents attempt to direct terrorist acts: Iranian FM
