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Expanded visa-free policies demonstrate China’s confidence, openness

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By He Yin, People’s Daily
China and Singapore signed a mutual visa exemption agreement on Jan. 25, which will come into
effect from Feb. 9. Chinese and Singaporean citizens holding ordinary passports will be allowed to
enter and stay in each other's countries visa-free for up to 30 days.
The expanded visa-free access for Chinese nationals will facilitate the personnel exchanges and
strengthen exchanges and cooperation between China and relevant countries. It showcases China's
confidence and opening attitude.
So far, China has signed mutual visa exemption agreements with 157 countries, covering various
types of passports. Simplified visa procedures or arrangements have been reached with 44
countries. Mutual visa exemptions have been achieved with 22 countries, including Singapore, the
Maldives, Kazakhstan, and others. In addition, over 60 countries and regions offer visa-free or
visa-on-arrival policies for Chinese citizens. 
The convenience of Chinese citizens' outbound travel has greatly improved, which lifts the "value"
of Chinese passports. At the same time, China's continuous efforts to optimize its visa policies are
providing more convenience for foreigners to travel, work, study, and live in China.
China is continuously optimizing its visa policies, showcasing its openness, inclusiveness,
confidence, and strength to the world.
Starting from Dec. 1, 2023, China has implemented a unilateral visa-free policy for ordinary
passport holders from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia on a trial
basis. Recently, China announced that it will apply unilateral visa-free policy to Switzerland and
Ireland.
By last November, China has expanded the scope of its 72/144-hour transit visa-free policies to 54
countries.
Since Dec. 11, 2023, Chinese embassies and consulates have implemented a temporary measure to
reduce visa fees. Starting from Jan. 11 this year, China's National Immigration Administration has
officially implemented five measures to facilitate the entry of foreign nationals coming to China.
These measures have practically facilitated the exchange of personnel, economic and trade
cooperation, and cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries, demonstrating China's
commitment to promoting people-to-people ties and advancing exchanges and mutual learning
among civilizations.
China's continuous optimization of visa policies has received widespread acclaim from the
international community and positive responses from relevant countries.
International personages praised China for introducing a series of convenient visa policies, saying
China always brings surprises. They called China's optimization of visa policies good news and an
important signal to promote tourism and economic exchanges.
Malaysia has decided to offer a 30-day visa-free entry to nationals from China. The French
government has announced that holders of a master's degree from China with study experience in
France can obtain a 5-year visa. Switzerland said it will provide more visa convenience for
Chinese citizens and Chinese enterprises investing in Switzerland. Ireland has expressed its
willingness to actively consider providing more convenience for Chinese citizens visiting Ireland,
saying it welcomes more Chinese companies to invest and do business in Ireland.

The expanding visa reciprocity will effectively promote exchanges between China and relevant
countries, further strengthening the mutually beneficial cooperation between them.
China's continuous optimization of visa policies and promotion of exchanges between Chinese
and foreign individuals marks an important measure to serve the country's high-quality
development and high-level opening-up, and it will also inject greater confidence and momentum
into the common development of all countries.
China, after a 45-year journey of reform and opening-up, has gained a deeper understanding that
the more open a country is, the more it develops and gains confidence, and the more it can
contribute to the common development of all nations in the world.
China actively builds various open platforms to share development opportunities with other
countries. It strives to optimize foreign investment and intellectual property protection, and
accelerate the construction of a market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized first-class
business environment. China also collaborates with relevant parties to advance the Belt and Road
Initiative, expanding cooperation with them in infrastructure, industry, trade, and technological
innovation. Through concrete actions, China is opening its doors wider and wider to the world.
The United Nations World Tourism Organization believes that China is becoming increasingly
open, and the vibrant development of China's tourism industry will also drive the common
development of tourism in neighboring countries.
China will continuously expand its high-level opening-up, firmly pursue a mutually beneficial
strategy of opening up, steadily expand institutional opening-up with regard to rules, regulations,
management and standards, and continuously expand the development space for Chinese
modernization.
China will commit itself to openness to foster synergy for cooperation and deliver benefits to all,
help different civilizations learn from each other, live in harmony and reinforce one another, and
work with all relevant parties to build a community with a shared future for mankind.

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China’s new chapter in global innovation

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By Gu Yekai, Liu Yiqing, People’s Daily

At a smart construction project site managed by China State Construction Engineering Corporation, a quiet technological revolution is underway. Amid cranes and concrete, engineers are deploying advanced artificial intelligence (AI) systems that could fundamentally reshape the construction industry.

Li Fengjian, an AI specialistwith Xianyuan Technology, detailed how the company’s latest intelligent system – built on a large model – adapts to complex construction environments.”Engineering machinery equipped with intelligent agents can adjust its operations automatically in response to weather conditions,” Li explained, adding that a spatiotemporal sensing network further enhances the system, providing real-time tracking of both personnel and materials throughout the construction site.

In February this year, Xianyuan Technology rapidly integrated its self-developed model with DeepSeek-R1, effectively blending a general-purpose framework with industry-specific models. This integration, Li noted, has produced a solution capable of delivering expert-level performance in challenging, dynamic environments. The firm is based in the Shanghai Foundation Model Innovation Center, aburgeoning AI incubator that now hosts over 200 innovative enterprises.

China’s technological transformation extends well beyond the construction sector. Overthe past three decades, the country has evolved from its initial forays into internet connectivity to becoming a key player in global digital innovation.

Here, a steady stream of technological innovations are emerging, from the early days of emails and web browsing to the cutting-edge technologies represented by DeepSeek and the dynamic evolution of social media.

Wu Jianping, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Engineering and headof the Zhongguancun Laboratory, pointed out that while China had introduced only one internet standard before 2005, it now contributes to over 200 worldwide. Such strides illustrate the country’s concerted push toward high-level technological self-reliance – a journey marked by both persistence and determination.

Beyond the digital realm, China is makingsignificant inroads in aerospace, new energy, and other high-tech sectors. It has transitioned from being a follower to standing shoulder-to-shoulder with global leaders, and in some areas, even taking the lead. Wu attributed these achievements to a dynamic ecosystem of policy reforms and talent cultivation that encourages creativity and technical expertise at every level.

Amid intensifying international competition, collaborative research and the integration of new technologies with traditional industries are central to China’s high-quality economic development.

Mei Linhai, a researcher at China’s State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Intelligence, remarked that the age of AI calls for continuous exploration. “In this era, everyone is an innovator. Only by persistently pushing the boundaries can we remain at the forefront of both technological and industrial development,” Mei observed.

In the field of general-purpose AI, Mei emphasized that independent innovation is paramount. He advocates for a self-driven industrial ecosystem that leveragesbreakthrough technologies to boost productivity and unlock new possibilities, Mei said.

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Chinese democracy in action:a village bench meeting shapes national law

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By Wei Zhezhe, Liu Botong, People’s Daily

In a modest corner of Jiangmen, south China’s Guangdong province, residents of Weidong village are experiencing firsthand a form of democracy that starts at the grassroots level and reverberates all the way to Beijing.

Wu Tengxin, a local villager who relies on a scooter for daily mobility after contracting polio, recalls a time when the village’s public spaces were ill-equipped for people with disabilities. Now, thanks to a simple suggestion made during a meeting, his everyday life has changed.

In November 2022, a team from a local legislative outreach office – a branch of China’sNational People’s Congress (NPC) – visited Weidong village and set up a “bench-style meeting.” Residents, including the elderly and those with disabilities, gathered to voice their concerns about inadequate accessibility.

Amid the conversation, Wu offered a straightforward proposal: “I hope rural accessible facilities can be improved to make mobility easier for people with disabilities and the elderly.” His words were relayed verbatim to lawmakers.

The response was swift. On June 28, 2023, at the third session of the 14th NPC Standing Committee, legislators passed a law on building a barrier-free living environment. The law stipulates that improvements”shall align with social and economic development levels, coordinate urban and rural progress, and gradually narrow the gap in infrastructure between urban and rural areas.”

Today, Wu observes that the village’s main roads and public squares have been upgraded with accessibility features that make getting around considerably easier.

This episode illustrates what Chinese officials call “whole-process people’s democracy” – a system where citizen input is woven into every stage of policy development.

Jilie Ziri, head of Abuluoha village in Butuo county, southwest China’s Sichuan province, remarked that for young generations in China, democracy has become a lived experience. “Villagers are the masters of village affairs,” he said, emphasizing how active villager participation has injected new vitality into local governance.

Experts point to consultative democracy as a cornerstone of this process. Tao Kaiyuan, vice chairman of the Central Committee of the China Association for Promoting Democracy and vice president of the Supreme People’s Court, underscores the important role of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, whose members hail from every stratum of society and bring a wealth of expertise and connections.

Their regular forums, field research, and public consultations have created robust channels for citizens to contribute ideas and forge consensus.”This approach gathers collective wisdom and transforms public voices into policy,” Tao said.

Another crucial manifestation is the effectiveness of China’s political party system. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, Chinese democratic parties actively fulfill their duties, offering recommendations that often translate into concrete policy decisions. This integrated approach demonstrates the unique strengths of China’s political system and the advantages of whole-process people’s democracy.

Tao emphasized that whole-process people’s democracyhas evolved into an efficient and dynamic democratic practice – one that not only reflects the essence of socialist democracy but also presents a pioneering model of political civilization, contributing Chinese wisdom and solutions to global governance and democratic development.

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Chinese modernization: blueprint for global progress

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By He Yin, People’s Daily

At China’s recent annual “two sessions,” Chinese modernization once again captured global attention. International observers are closely following a range of new measures designed not only to accelerate Chinese domestic transformation but also to unlock fresh opportunities for global development.

They believe that Chinese modernization, built on a foundation of openness and cooperation, will continue to yield global benefits with each new milestone.

Today, China stands as a formidable force in the global economy – accounting for around 18 percent of the global economy and nearly 30 percent of world manufacturing output. Year after year, the nation has contributed about 30 percent to global economic growth. With import and export records with almost all countries and regions designated in the United Nations Statistics Division, the country is a major trading partner for more than 150 countries and regions. In 2024, its exports to over 160 countries and regions saw growth.

Often hailed as the “world’s largest developing country,”the “second-largest economy,””world’s factory,””global market,” and “innovation powerhouse,” China is increasingly viewed as a beacon of stability and progress.

In recent years, high-profile events such as the seventh China International Import Expo – where intended deals exceeded $80 billion – and the establishment of over 1.239 million foreign-invested enterprises have reinforced the nation’s reputation as a vast, dynamic market.

Meanwhile, policies encouraging Chinese companies to “go global” have seen a steady stream of new technologies, goods, and services permeate international markets, knitting the country ever tighter into global value chains and bolstering its commitment to win-win cooperation.

The influence of Chinese modernization is evident far beyond its borders. In the Central African Republic, President Faustin-Archange Touadera has repeatedly screened China’s political documentary Carry the Reform Through to the End for cabinet discussions, while officialsin Uzbekistan are adapting China’s poverty-reduction experience to suit their national context. These moves challenge the assumption that modernization must follow Western models, suggesting that China’s alternative pathway offers a viable route to development.

Beyond economic growth, Chinese modernization is increasingly celebrated for its potential to foster win-win cooperation and shared prosperity.

Under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), for example, Kazakhstan secured its first maritime access and Laos launched its first modern railway. Support from the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund has propelled over 160 projects, benefiting more than 30 million people. Moreover, China has given all the least developed countries with which it has diplomatic relations zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines, signaling its commitment to an open and inclusive global economy.

China’s modernization agenda also tackles global challenges head on. In response to global environmental risks, China advocates for building a community of all life on the Earth. To bridge the digital and AI divide, it has launched the AI Capacity-Building Action Plan for Good and for All to ensure that technological advancements benefit every corner of the globe.

On the security front, China continues to promote dialogue and reconciliation in conflict zones while engaging in multilateral security collaborations, reinforcing its reputation as a nation committed to peace and stability.

By proposing initiatives such as the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilizations Initiative, China is not just charting its own course toward modernization but championing an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization – one that seeks to ensure that no nation is left behind on the path to prosperity.

The global appeal of Chinese modernization is far from accidental. Decades of reform and opening up have accelerated its development while enabling the country to contribute to global governance. On the international stage, it has taken on a leadership role – actively shaping global norms, building a community with a shared future for mankind, and advancing world peace and development. By sharing its successful experiences and technological advancements, the country seeks to help other developing countries chart their own courses toward progress.

With over 1.4 billion people engaged in this modernization journey – a number that surpasses the total population of all developed countries combined – China’s approach is redefining the global modernization landscape. For China, modernization is not solely a national endeavor but a blueprint for global progress – a vision that promises a more inclusive future for all.

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