China's visa-free entry for Greek citizens has triggered a sharp rise in inbound tourism, with arrivals surging during the National Day holiday and cultural authorities rolling out Silk Road-themed itineraries to meet the growing demand.
During the ongoing holiday this year, a group of 20 or so Greek tourists took on a three-day tour of Xi'an, the ancient Chinese capital in the northwestern Shaanxi Province for a more intimate experience of the Chinese culture.
Their trip took place under a Chinese policy specifying that Greek citizens with ordinary passports can visit China for up to 15 days without a visa for tourism, business, family reunification, or transit, between Oct 15, 2024 and Dec 31, 2025.
"Xi'an's history is truly magnificent. The cultural heritage here forms an interesting dialogue with Greece's ancient civilization," said a Greek tourist, who visited the Terracotta Warriors and landmarks such as the City Wall and the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, along with his fellow travelers.
"I first came to China in 1968. The changes have been tremendous [between then and now]. This journey not only transcends time and space, but also allows me to deeply feel the China's advancement. This trip is meaningful," another member of the tour group said.
Local cultural and tourism authorities designed a Silk Road-themed itinerary for Greek tourists that blends cuisine and intangible cultural heritage experiences.
"Since the visa-free policy was introduced, our business has grown by 30 to 40 percent in serving Greek tourists. Looking at the European market as a whole, we are looking at a 60 percent or so rise in business," said Yu Qiang, head of inbound tourism center of a local travel agency.
China's visa-free policy fuels surge in number of Greek tourists
China's visa-free policy fuels surge in number of Greek tourists
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
