China, South Korea, Japan review resumption of short-term visa waiver

The Chinese government is making final adjustments to Japan after South Korea to resume short-term visa exemptions needed to visit the country, the Yomiuri Shimbun reported, citing officials.

The Chinese government is expected to announce the resumption of visa waivers for Japanese as early as this month.

China exempted citizens of Japan, Singapore and Brunei from visas if they visited within 15 days for tourism and commercial purposes, but suspended visa exemptions in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 epidemic.

Since then, the Japanese government's demand for reopening has also been rejected, citing reciprocity.

However, China has waived short-term visas to 30 countries, mainly in Europe and Southeast Asia, since last year in a bid to attract foreign tourists due to the economic downturn.

China announced on the 1st that it will also implement a 'unilateral visa-free policy' for Korea by December 31 next year.