For those planning short trips to China, there is no longer a requirement to provide biometric data
As part of its drive to boost tourism from India, China says it has issued over 85,000 visas to Indian citizens between January 1 and April 9, as part of efforts to bolster bilateral ties amid escalating US-China trade tensions.
Xu Feihong, Ambassador of China to India, announced this on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) and highlighted various measures taken to facilitate travel, including waiving online appointments, exempting biometric data collection for short-term stays and reducing visa fees.
These initiatives aim to encourage more Indian nationals to visit China and experience its “open, safe, vibrant, sincere and friendly” environment. According to the Chinese Ambassador, Indian travellers can now visit Chinese visa centres on any working day and submit their applications without needing to book an online appointment in advance. The visas are issued at three centres, New Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata.
For applicants who reside in Maharashtra or Karnataka, their visa applications are processed by Chinese Consulate-General in Mumbai. For applicants who reside in Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chattisgarh, and West Bengal, their visa applications are processed by Chinese Consulate-General in Kolkata. For applicants who reside in areas other than those mentioned above, their visa applications are processed by Chinese Embassy in India.
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For those planning short trips to China, there is no longer a requirement to provide biometric data, which helps speed up the overall process. In addition, visa fees have been reduced, making it more affordable for Indian tourists to travel to China. The Chinese authorities have also made the process faster, with quicker approvals for both holidaymakers and business visitors.
The move aligns with China’s broader strategy to enhance economic cooperation with India. Xu emphasised the complementary nature of the two countries’ economies, noting India’s strengths in information technology, software and biomedicine and China’s advancements in electronics manufacturing, infrastructure, and new energy sectors. He suggested that closer collaboration could yield significant mutual benefits, likening it to a ‘dragon-elephant tango’.
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In response to the US’s imposition of tariffs on Chinese imports, the Chinese Embassy in India has called for strengthened cooperation between the two nations. Spokesperson Yu Jing stated that as the two largest developing countries, India and China should unite against such tariff actions, emphasising their shared interests in defending free trade and the multilateral trading system.
This diplomatic outreach also coincides with the resumption of direct air services between India and China after a five-year hiatus, further facilitating travel and exchanges between the two countries.
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