Impacts of the 25th China-EU Summit on the Travel and Tourism Sector
In just a few days, the 25th China-EU Summit is set to take place on 24 July 20XX, marking a significant milestone in the diplomatic relationship between the two powerhouses. This summit, which will be co-chaired by Li Qiang, holds great promise for furthering the already substantial economic ties between China and the European Union (EU).
However, one issue that continues to persist and is unlikely to see meaningful progress during the summit is the visa issue. As of mid-2025, Chinese citizens are still required to obtain a Schengen visa to enter the European Union for short stays under 90 days, as China is not a visa-exempt country for the Schengen zone.
Recent EU visa policy reforms aim to relax Schengen visa rules for certain nationals starting July 2025, with measures including faster application processes, lower fees, and enhanced access for some countries. However, China is not explicitly mentioned among those benefiting from these relaxations at this time.
Similarly, China’s visa reciprocity with EU states remains limited. China has called for reciprocity in visa requirements, but most EU countries still require Chinese citizens to apply for visas. China recently extended its 30-day visa-free policy to citizens of 75 countries, including 24 EU member states. Yet, the EU does not currently offer visa-free travel to Chinese citizens, nor does China offer visa-free access to EU citizens beyond limited bilateral agreements with some countries or special transit exemptions.
The EU is pushing for a more balanced economic relationship, improved market transparency, and stronger protections for its strategic sectors with China. The growing trade deficit, fueled by Chinese exports of electric vehicles and renewable energy technology, is a critical concern in Brussels. The EU-China trade relationship reached over €845 billion in 2024, with the trade deficit being a significant point of discussion.
The atmosphere ahead of the summit is measured, with any celebratory tone around the diplomatic anniversary likely tempered by persistent geopolitical and economic challenges. Despite the ongoing visa issue, the summit marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and the European Union.
European tourists have expressed positive feedback about streamlined border controls and enhanced customer service at major Chinese airports. The visa-free policy of China allows entry for more than 20 million international travelers, including a substantial number of EU nationals in 2024.
For those planning travel, it is essential to expect to apply for a Schengen visa under current rules and monitor for any country-specific updates. Continued dialogue and policy adjustments remain possible given the history of evolving EU visa policies.
In summary, while the 25th China-EU Summit promises to further strengthen the economic ties between China and the EU, the visa issue is unlikely to see significant progress during the summit. Chinese citizens are still required to obtain a Schengen visa to enter the European Union, and China does not currently offer visa-free travel to EU citizens. Monitoring country-specific updates is crucial for those planning travel.
- Despite the upcoming 25th China-EU Summit, the visa issue remains a persisting concern, with Chinese citizens still requiring Schengen visas for short stays in the EU.
- The EU's recent visa policy reforms aim to ease Schengen visa rules, but China is not currently among the countries benefiting from these changes.
- China's visa reciprocity with EU states is limited, and most EU countries still require Chinese citizens to apply for visas.
- The growing EU-China trade relationship, marked by a trade deficit driven by Chinese exports of electric vehicles and renewable energy technology, is a key point of discussion.
- European tourists have reported positive experiences with streamlined border controls and improved customer service at Chinese airports, under China's 30-day visa-free policy for over 20 million international travelers, including many EU nationals.
