“Even if other countries implement visa-free or visa-on-arrival policies for Chinese citizens, Chinese border control may still not allow entry,” regarding this “concern” for Chinese citizens traveling abroad, on the 12th, the Beijing Border Control General Station provided an explanation through its official Weibo account “Beijing Border Control,” stating that it is not the border control that is obstructing, but rather it requires notification from the Ministry of Public Security.
There are truly 18 countries where you can “just go”
“Beijing Border Control” stated that more and more countries are implementing visa-free and visa-on-arrival policies for China, which is a trend for the future. According to statistics, as of now, there are 17 countries that have truly implemented visa-free or visa-on-arrival policies with China, meaning that as long as you carry a passport and a flight ticket, you can go there. Additionally, East Timor only requires carrying a “visa issuance permit” issued by the embassy. Therefore, it can be said that there are 18 countries where Chinese citizens can basically “just go.” “Beijing Border Control” believes that, “Although many people say that going to these 18 countries is risky, with the likely signing of the mutual visa exemption agreement between China and Thailand next year, the number of visa-free countries will continue to increase.”
No entry without notification
Regarding the phenomenon where other countries also implement corresponding policies towards China, but Chinese border control does not allow entry, “Beijing Border Control” explained that the overall approach of the border control department is “to allow exit,” and it is not “to obstruct everyone from leaving the country,” but must execute according to policy.
Only when the Ministry of Public Security notifies the border control department can the border control allow exit according to policy; otherwise, those countries that unilaterally implement policies cannot be considered true visa-free or visa-on-arrival countries. First, China conducts bilateral or multilateral negotiations for mutual visa exemption and visa-free policies with relevant countries, then the Ministry of Foreign Affairs needs to reach a memorandum of understanding or other agreements with relevant countries, and then report the relevant situation of the agreement to the Ministry of Public Security. The Ministry of Public Security formulates or collaborates with other countries to establish exit inspection standards based on this agreement and notifies subordinate border control stations to implement. In other words, if the border control department has not received notification from the Ministry of Public Security, then even if the other party has unilaterally implemented visa-free or visa-on-arrival policies, Chinese border control still cannot allow entry.
Illegal immigration makes exit difficult
In addition, “Beijing Border Control” explained the reasons for the long-standing difficulty for Chinese citizens to exit the country. First, during special periods, the country has strict controls on exit, and local public security entry and exit departments and border control agencies lack the ability and attitude to serve travelers; secondly, compared to developed countries, there are more cases of Chinese citizens engaging in illegal immigration, illegal residence, and uncivilized behavior, making China a major source of immigration and illegal immigration. Immigration departments in various countries have repeatedly requested Chinese border control departments to strengthen the crackdown on illegal entry and exit.
Detailed classification:
1. Direct flights to Beijing
1. Mauritius (mutual visa exemption)
2. Jeju Island, South Korea (unilateral visa exemption)
3. Northern Mariana Islands, United States (including Saipan, etc.) (unilateral visa exemption)
4. Indonesia (unilateral visa on arrival)
2. No direct flights to Beijing
5. San Marino (mutual visa exemption)
6. Seychelles (mutual visa exemption)
7. Samoa (unilateral visa exemption)
8. Maldives (unilateral visa exemption)
9. Haiti (unilateral visa exemption)
10. Georgia (unilateral visa on arrival)
11. Brunei (unilateral visa on arrival)
12. Fiji (unilateral visa on arrival)
13. Comoros (unilateral visa on arrival)
14. Palau (unilateral visa on arrival)
15. Bahrain (unilateral visa on arrival)
16. Jordan (unilateral visa on arrival)
3. Special regulations or complicated processes
17. Myanmar (unilateral visa on arrival; Myanmar implemented airport visa on arrival in July 2010, announced the suspension of visa on arrival in August of the same year, and has now restored the airport visa on arrival policy)
18. East Timor (unilateral visa on arrival; requires holding a “visa issuance permit” issued by the embassy)