“游山玩水”拉近中国与周边国家邻里情（国际论道）

Core Points - China is continuously optimizing its entry policies, expanding the number of visa-free countries to 47 and the number of countries eligible for the 240-hour transit visa exemption to 55, enhancing tourism and cultural exchanges with neighboring countries [1] - The number of foreign tourists entering China in the first quarter reached 7.3674 million, a year-on-year increase of 39.2%, with significant growth during the "May Day" holiday and the Dragon Boat Festival [1] - China is becoming a preferred destination for outbound tourism from several countries, with a notable increase in demand from Russian tourists, whose interest in visiting China has surged by 1000% [3] Group 1: Tourism Growth - The number of foreign tourists entering China during the "May Day" holiday was 1.115 million, a 43.1% increase compared to last year [1] - During the Dragon Boat Festival, 231,000 foreign visitors entered China under the visa exemption policy, marking a 59.4% increase [1] - The Asia-Pacific region is expected to see international tourist numbers rise from 648 million in 2024 to 813.7 million by 2027, with China projected to be the largest inbound destination [3] Group 2: Infrastructure and Policy Support - The introduction of the "ASEAN Visa" aims to facilitate travel and trade cooperation among ASEAN countries and reflects China's commitment to maintaining openness and promoting global cooperation [5][6] - The China-Laos Railway enhances connectivity and tourism between China and Laos, linking over 560 tourist attractions and making cross-border travel more affordable and convenient [6] - Various Chinese cities are improving tourism services, such as lowering the threshold for tax refunds for departing tourists and launching new themed travel routes [8] Group 3: Cultural Exchange and Economic Impact - Tourism is not only boosting economic exchanges but also building friendly bridges between nations, as highlighted by the Thai Prime Minister regarding the cultural ties between Thailand and China [9] - The mutual visa exemption between Kazakhstan and China has led to a significant increase in tourist numbers, with over 650,000 Chinese tourists expected to visit Kazakhstan in 2024 [9] - The growing popularity of "China tours" and "China shopping" signifies a new image of China as open and innovative to the world [9]