China further expands its visa-free transit policy

China further expanded its visa-free transit policy, extending the maximum amount of time foreigners are allowed to stay in the country under the policy to 10 days from the previous 72 or 144 hours, the National Immigration Administration announced on Tuesday.

It said the policy now applies to 60 ports across China, a significant increase from the previous number of 39, making it easier for foreigners transiting through China to enter the country.

China's visa-free transit policy covers citizens from 54 countries. Also, from Tuesday on, under the policy, they can stay in 24 provincial-level regions, an increase from the previous number of 19, and are allowed to travel between these regions during their stay in China.

China has implemented the visa-free transit policy since January 2013, and has been improving the policy over the years.