Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian introduced on Tuesday that starting on June 1, China's unilateral visa-free program is for the first time extended to Latin American and Caribbean countries, raising the number of countries given unilateral visa-free entry to China to 43.

It's reported that beginning from June 1, China has provided visa-free policy to ordinary passport holders from Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru and Uruguay on a trial basis. China also announced that it "has given visa-free status to all Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries." This is warmly received in relevant countries.

Lin said at a regular press conference that the growing "visa-free list" shows China's firm resolve in expanding high-level opening up. The various measures China has taken to ease cross-border travel are all part of China's concrete action to create an open global economy. Adding to the proof, in the first quarter of this year, China received over 9 million visits by foreigners, up by over 40 percent year-on-year. And in the first four months, more than 18 thousand foreign-invested companies were established in China, up by 12.1 percent year-on-year. 

"China will continue to improve entry policies and add more countries to the visa-free list. We welcome more foreign friends to visit China for excellent purchase experience, diverse consumption scenarios and more convenient services. China is committed to greater openness and deeper cooperation for shared prosperity with the rest of the world," Lin said. (By Ma Ziqian/China Youth Daily)