Moscow, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- China's introduction of visa-free policy for citizens of more countries is an evidence of its greater openness to the outside world, said Semenyuk Maria, assistant professor of Department of Chinese Philology at the Institute of Asian and African Studies at Moscow State University.
Since the beginning of this year, China has expanded the list of countries whose citizens are subject to visa-free travel, which has contributed to a continuous rise in inbound tourism.
"This policy marks China's even greater outward openness and makes tourism to China even more attractive for tourists from all over the world. Simplification of travel paperwork is an important factor that tourists appreciate when choosing a destination and it will certainly provide new opportunities for the Chinese tourism industry," Semenyuk told Xinhua.
According to the Russian scholar, China's inbound tourism not only brings obvious economic dividends, but also represents an important element of cultural exchanges between different nations.
"China is a country with unique natural landscapes, where both winter tourism, mountain tourism, beach recreation and ecotourism are possible at the same time," pointed Semenyuk, emphasizing that in recent years the cultural tourism industry has been actively developing in the country, with thematic tours devoted to different aspects of Chinese material culture, intangible heritage and gastronomic tourism.
According to the Russian expert, tourism has become a new driver of development for many remote areas of China, playing an important role in their fight against poverty, and contributing to the preservation and development of the unique culture of different ethnic groups inhabiting the country.
In Semenyuk's view, the development of tourism in China is becoming an important factor shaping China's image as a major power that is open outward and interested in cooperation and cultural exchanges with other countries.
"Inbound tourism is a practical tool that allows people from other countries to visit China in person, get to know the country, touch its cultural heritage, and thus ultimately promote mutual understanding, mutual respect and strengthen good neighborly relations between peoples," she concluded.
(Contributed by Bao Nuomin in Moscow, Russia, edited by Li Shimeng with Xinhua Silk Road, lishimeng@xinhua.org)
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