State media say that China will allow most foreign visitors to stay in Beijing for three days without a visa if they are heading on to another country, a policy meant to boost tourism and smooth the way for transiting passengers and business travellers.
The China Daily newspaper said the new rules take effect from January 1 and apply to visitors from 45 countries, including Australia, Japan, Singapore, the United States, France, Germany and Argentina.
The report says travellers must have a ticket to a third country to qualify and are forbidden to leave Beijing. It says they also must register with police within 24 hours of arrival.
The official Xinhua News Agency says Beijing receives around five million foreign visitors per year.
Source: AAP
