Visits help enhance cultural understanding
China's decision to implement a visa-free policy for Italian nationals has significantly simplified travel to the country, providing a welcome boost for tourism and business exchanges. Maria Azzolina, president of the Italy-China Institute, believes the policy will encourage more Italians to explore the vast opportunities China has to offer.
Since December, 2023, when China introduced visa-free access for five countries, including Italy, the list has expanded to encompass 38 countries and territories. This initiative has streamlined travel logistics, reducing both time and financial costs for travelers. Azzolina, who is also the managing director of Private Incentive — a company that facilitates Italian delegations to China — has visited China ten times in the last year. She highlighted the policy's significant impact on removing one of the major obstacles for Italian tourists and business professionals.
"Travelers no longer have to go through the cumbersome visa process, which saves time and money,"Azzolina said. "This is especially beneficial for businesses that need to act at the last minute. The visa-free policy eliminates a potential hurdle."
