Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, May 21 Title: "You come and I go", tightening the ties between China and the world

Xinhua News Agency reporter Gao Wencheng

In the first quarter of this year, the number of people entering and leaving the country exceeded 141 million, up 117.8% year on year; The total number of inbound and outbound tourists during the "May Day" holiday reached 3.672 million, including 1.775 million inbound tourists and 1.897 million outbound tourists... A group of recently released figures show the density of Chinese and foreign personnel exchanges and the popularity of "two-way travel". Benefiting from the multiple benefits such as the resumption of routes, the landing of entry facilitation measures and the increase of visa free countries, China and the world see each other in the "you come and I go", narrow the distance between hearts, and discover and create opportunities for cooperation.

On May 9, inbound passengers went through customs formalities at Haikou Meilan Border Inspection Station. On the same day, the reporter learned from Haikou Entry Exit Frontier Inspection Station that since the official implementation of the policy of expanding the reasons for visa free entry of 59 countries into Hainan on February 9 this year, the number of visa free foreign tourists entering Hainan has exceeded 75000, and the enthusiasm of foreign tourists to Hainan has been further stimulated. Photographed by Yang Guanyu, reporter of Xinhua News Agency

"China welcomes you" is more than a slogan. Last December, China piloted visa free policies for six countries, namely France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia. In March this year, China further piloted visa free policies for Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium and Luxembourg, and recently implemented visa free policies for foreign tourist groups entering the country by cruise. At the same time, with the gradual implementation of a series of exit and entry policies such as mutual visa exemption agreements this year, China, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and other countries have entered the "visa free era". Foreign tourists who come to China find that it is more convenient to travel and pay in China. More and more airports, scenic spots and shopping places support overseas bank card payment. Many cities have issued special service guides and promotional videos for inbound travel payment.

In order to welcome Chinese tourists, many countries and regions also offer visa free and landing visas to Chinese citizens, and provide various warm services. Malaysia employs Mandarin speaking staff at multiple entry points, Singapore Tourism Bureau has signed memorandums of understanding with WeChat payment, UnionPay International and other institutions, Cuba has announced visa free for Chinese citizens with ordinary passports, and has also customized tourism products for Chinese tourists... French Euronews believes that there is a "two-way travel" The fast and smooth road is being paved.

On April 6, inbound tourists visited Shanghai Yuyuan Garden Business District. On the same day, more than 2500 inbound tourists from Germany, Austria, Switzerland and other countries arrived at the Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Port by the "Meishifu V" cruise ship, starting a two-day trip to Shanghai. Photographed by Chen Aiping, reporter of Xinhua News Agency

There is a flow of information in the flow of people. "You come and I go" injects new impetus into people to people connections, so that the world can see the real China. The magnificent historical sites, novel modern technology, and even the unique small villages and private restaurants have become the "clocking" options for foreign tourists to China. "Seeing is believing" has refreshed many foreign tourists' understanding of China. According to an article in Singapore's Lianhe Morning Post, many foreign bloggers said that China they saw with their own eyes had broken their original impression. They were impressed by the clean and generous appearance of Shanghai, curious about the new energy vehicles running all over the street. Some people fell in love with tea eggs and soybean milk, and others said that the Chinese people they met along the way were warm-hearted.

On March 1, Chinese tourists visited the ancient city of Siam in Thailand. On the same day, the agreement between China and Thailand on mutual visa exemption for ordinary passport holders came into force, and China and Thailand entered the "visa free era". Photographed by Wang Teng, reporter of Xinhua News Agency

Go to France to taste red wine, go skiing in Switzerland, go to Africa to see the great migration of animals... Chinese tourists go abroad to learn about the culture, history, customs and habits of different countries, but also show the image of China. In every word and deed of communication with local people, they show the Chinese people's uplifting attitude and open and inclusive mind. As Dai Bin, president of the China Tourism Research Institute, said, Chinese and foreign tourists are accelerating to enter each other's daily life scenes. People feel culture, enhance understanding and strengthen cultural exchanges during the journey.

There are also opportunities for people to meet the flow. With the flow of people, opportunities for mutual benefit and win-win results are emerging. The prosperity of tourism has driven the development of hotel, catering, transportation, shopping and other industries, creating a large number of employment opportunities. According to the prediction of China Tourism Research Institute, the number of inbound and outbound tourists will exceed 260 million this year, which will help international tourism revenue climb to the threshold of 100 billion dollars again. Cross border tourism has become a hot economy. For example, Zhangjiajie is favored by Korean tourists, and the occupancy rate of Korean restaurants has increased significantly. Some hotels have a daily turnover of more than 10000 yuan. The mayor of Bangkok, Thailand, Chacha Sidibon, said that the number of Chinese tourists arriving in Thailand is increasing, and Thai tourists also travel to China, which is conducive to Thailand's economic development and enhancing the friendship between the two peoples. "This is not only for entertainment, but also to strengthen cooperation between the two countries.".

The Financial Times reported that European business people hope to take the opportunity to expand the Chinese market. They can participate in various trade fairs and negotiation activities more flexibly, and expand partners and business networks more conveniently. Many European tourists said that the 15 day visa free period was very practical, and they could easily complete both the travel to China and the business investigation. People who "come and go" have different goals, but they are all looking for life opportunities in warm exchanges to share the dividends of the era of "two-way travel" between China and the world.

Whether it is warm hospitality, refreshing the "inherent impression", or opening up cooperation opportunities, one story after another of exchange and interaction is constantly playing out, which together constitute the grand vision of China in the new era to seek win-win results through opening up and promote development through cooperation on the world stage, It vividly demonstrates the policy logic of China's firm pursuit of a win-win opening-up strategy: the more open a country is, the more developed and confident it will be, and the more open it will be, the more it will be able to promote the common development of all countries in the world. This is China's profound understanding, China's determined practice, and China's sincere invitation to the world.