China's visa-free policy is driving a boom in foreign entries, facilitating people from around the world to travel, study and do business in China.
From mid-September, Russian citizens holding ordinary passports have been able to visit China for 30 days visa-free.
Chinese massage is one of the most popular activities for Russian visitors to China.
"There are quite a few Russians. Because their trade in fur coats and such is mostly concentrated in the nearby area," said Yan Xin, a therapist in Beijing.
He said he communicates with his Russian clients in English and sometimes with the help of translation apps.
The visa-free policy is also making tourism easier.
"And we go next month too and we are planning next year to Shanghai. We love China. When we planned, we take visa by our tour agent, but she said, no, China is planning visa Free. And we waited, and she said everything is free," said a Russian tourist.
Some Russian expats have really settled in and feel at home in China.
"It is convenient to work and live in China. Russia is my home country, and China is like my second. I think my Chinese is much better than English," said Muhammedov Rovshen, a student from Russia.
Compared with ordinary international travelers, business groups and professional delegations are quicker to take advantage of the visa-free policy.
"The day after the visa-free policy was announced, we received an email from a Russian client expressing their delight at how the policy increased their motivation to visit China. They also inquired about short-term study and educational tour programs for students during holidays, as well as the possibility of briefly studying Chinese in China. Today, an educational delegation from South Korea also arrived in Beijing visa-free for exchanges and visits. For Russian visitors, they tend to favor island getaways in winter, so we tailor several coastal destination plans for them," said Cao Xiaoying, deputy general manager of the International Cultural and Education Programs Department under China International Travel Service Head Office.
According to Chinese immigration authorities, foreigners made close to 16 million entries under visa-free policies from January to August of 2025 - over 60 percent of all foreign entries.
Visa-free policy facilitates foreigners to travel, study, do business in China
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
