China's visa-free policy network expanded further in 2025. The country added 11 new nations, including Brazil, Russia, and Sweden, to its unilateral visa-free list, bringing the total to 48 countries. Additionally, mutual visa-exemption agreements were extended to cover 29 countries.These policy measures have significantly boosted inbound tourism in border regions. For instance, at Heihe Port in northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, the visa-free entry for Russian tourists fueled a notable increase in arrivals. In September and October 2025 alone, the port welcomed 46,000 Russian visitors, marking a year-on-year surge of 28.4%.
