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Opinion
Some of China’s best cultural ambassadors are foreign vloggers
- Travellers taking advantage of China’s visa-free transit policies can help the international community get a balanced view of the country
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Wei Wei is the former chief correspondent of the Eurasian bureau of China Central Television, based in Moscow, covering events in the states of the former Soviet Union.
I never expected that foreigners could become the strongest “spokespeople” for China. On YouTube, I’ve come across video headlines such as “CHINA is NOT what we expected”, “I Was Wrong About China...So I Came Back” and “The Media Doesn’t Want You To See THIS in China” made by foreign vloggers - some of whom have many followers.
A China travel rush is under way, thanks in part to China rolling out a visa-free 24-hour transit policy for people from other countries around the world at all of its accessible exit-entry ports. Forty-one such ports - encompassing 19 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities - have implemented a 72-hour or 144-hour visa-free transit period for foreign nationals from 54 countries.
According to data released by the National Immigration Administration, more than 14.6 million foreigners entered China in the first half of 2024, a year-on-year increase of 152.7 per cent. Among them, 8.5 million people entered China without a visa, accounting for 52 per cent - a year-on-year increase of 190.1 per cent. With the support of the visa-free transit policy, it is more convenient for foreign tourists to explore China.
Foreign vloggers have made videos about their experiences in China and posted them on social media. They are amazed by China’s high-speed trains, skyscrapers, mobile payment systems, electric cars, mega airports, delicious and varied food, friendly people, unique culture and history and how people can walk at night without fearing being attacked.
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