持续扩容免签“朋友圈”

Core Viewpoint - The expansion of the visa-free policy for citizens of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain reflects China's commitment to high-level opening-up and is expected to enhance foreign tourism and investment in China [1] Group 1: Visa-Free Policy Impact - As of June 9, the number of countries eligible for China's unilateral visa-free policy has increased to 47, indicating a significant step in promoting international exchanges [1] - The implementation of the visa-free policy has led to a notable increase in foreign investment, with 18,832 new foreign-invested enterprises established in the first four months of this year, a year-on-year growth of 12.1% [1] - During the recent "May Day" holiday, the number of foreign entries and exits reached 1.115 million, representing a 43.1% increase compared to the same period last year [1] Group 2: Tourism and Economic Growth - The first month of the optimized departure tax refund policy saw a 116% year-on-year increase in the number of tax refund applications processed, with sales in refund stores rising by 56% [1] - The positive effects of the visa-free policy are expected to continue, enhancing the inbound tourism market and boosting the domestic cultural and tourism industry [1] - The visa-free policy facilitates personnel exchanges with major trading partners, creating more collaboration opportunities for multinational companies and becoming a key factor in attracting foreign investment [1] Group 3: Future Enhancements - To maximize the benefits of the visa-free policy, there is a need to improve the inbound tourism industry chain by offering higher quality products, diverse consumption scenarios, and more convenient service guarantees [2] - Airlines have announced new intercontinental routes as part of their summer travel plans, indicating an effort to enhance travel options for foreign visitors [2] - Continuous optimization of the business environment is essential, with various policies aimed at attracting foreign investment and improving the operational environment for foreign nationals being implemented [2]