According to data from the National Immigration Administration (NIA), China welcomed 214,000 visitors from France, Germany, Italy, Malaysia, the Netherlands, and Spain between December 1 to 31, 2023, following the implementation of China's unilateral visa-free policy for ordinary passport holders from these six countries, representing a month-to-month increase of 28.5 percent. Notably, 118,000 ordinary passport holders, which accounted for 55.1 percent of the total number, entered China without visas. As for the purposes for the entries, 91,000 visitors, which accounted for 77.3 percent, entered China for sightseeing, leisure, and business activities.

According to an official of NIA, the border inspection authorities across China have been actively implementing measures under NIA's guidance to facilitate the implementation of the latest visa-free entry policy and enhance exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and foreign nationals, by ensuring adequate staffing for law enforcement and enough inspection channels to offer functioning and effective entry and exit services at ports. NIA has also instructed the exit/entry administrations of public security organs nationwide to facilitate the stay and residence of foreign nationals entering China visa-free in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations. Moving forward, NIA will, in accordance with the requirements specified in the Central Economic Work Conference's plan, balance the relationship between high-level security, high-quality development, and high-standard opening-up. It also intends to optimize exit and entry management service policies and measures and work together with the relevant authorities to ease matters related to the business activities, study, tourism, work, and life of foreign nationals in China, all in the interests of high-level opening up and high-quality development.