72-hour visa-free scheme may be expanded

China may expand its 72-hour visa-free policy for foreigners in a bid to boost the country's tourism.

Tourists enjoy the Palace Museum on May 27, 2012. [Photo/China Daily]

Authorities are mulling over measures to speed up visa processing and will gradually optimize visa-free stays for international transit passengers, the State Council said in a guideline yesterday.

The policy is already in place for foreign visitors to Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Kunming, Chengdu, Chongqing, Shenyang, Dalian, Guilin and Xi'an.

China hopes expanding the program will help bolster tourism from Asia, central and eastern Europe and Africa.

The State Council said it also aims to make it easier for foreign-funded travel agencies to get business certificates from local tourism authorities.

Among the fastest growing tourism groups is Chinese travelling abroad.

This has resulted in a huge gulf in spending when compared to foreign tourists coming to China. According to the China Tourism Academy, Chinese overseas spend US$100 billion more than foreign tourists in China.

The authorities hope preferential policies will attract more foreign tourists.