What led China to ease entry for 36 European countries?

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China eased entry for nationals from 36 European countries after it had previously tightened border controls and later started relaxing certain visa requirements

China eased some entry restrictions for European passport holders from 36 European countries months after its March border shutdown stranded thousands of people and sharply reduced flights to slow the spread of Covid-19. The change covers a visa-related administrative requirement, allowing eligible travellers with valid residence permits to apply for a Chinese visa without an invitation letter and to apply “free of charge”. The information available does not spell out a specific reason for choosing this timing, but it does show that flights and visa processes had been tightly constrained in March and are now being partially adjusted alongside the new rules.
What happened in March that tightened entry
In March, China closed its borders and slashed flights, leaving “thousands” of people stranded. Almost all foreign nationals were forbidden from entering, including people with Chinese work or residence permits or family members living in China. The flight limits were linked to a drastic reduction in international air links at the end of March, when ticket prices also rose.
What is changing for Europeans now
This week, China announced it would relax some bureaucratic requirements for Europeans re-entering. The new rules apply to European passport holders from 36 countries, including France, Germany and the UK, as long as they hold a valid residence permit. They can apply for a Chinese visa without an invitation letter, and the Chinese foreign ministry said qualifying applicants will be allowed to apply “free of charge”.
What travellers still face after the easing
Even with the visa administrative easing, returning travellers still have to reapply for their visa because travel documents issued before the pandemic have been nullified. Anyone coming from abroad still faces Covid-19 testing and a 14-day quarantine. They also still need to secure plane tickets, since flight capacity constraints remain part of the travel picture.
How flight limits are being partially lifted
The easing is paired with some removal of strict flight quotas, with Air France allowed to operate three weekly flights between China and France from the end of August. This aligns with the earlier period when international air links were drastically reduced and many travellers struggled to find flights. At the same time, China said it has largely brought the spread of Covid-19 under control after it first emerged late last year, even as local clusters continued in recent months.

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What led China to ease entry for 36 European countries?

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