China’s visa-free policy for designated cities is being given a shot in the arm with the announcement that from 1 December, the number of cities will be significantly increased to 23 destinations across 18 provinces.
中国对指定城市的免签证政策正在受到推动，宣布从12月1日起，城市数量将大幅增加到18个省的23个目的地。
Since its introduction in 2013, almost half a million foreign visitors have taken advantage of the policy; it greatly simplifying procedures for coming to China for a short period, particularly for business meetings. The subsequent extension to 144 hours meant that short recreational tours could also be enjoyed, without all the hassle of obtaining a visa.
自2013年推出以来，近50万外国游客利用了这项政策；它大大简化了短期来中国的程序，尤其是商务会议。 随后延长到144小时意味着也可以享受短期休闲旅游，而无需获得签证的所有麻烦。
No surprises that the policy was first rolled out in Shanghai and Beijing, to be followed by cities such as Hangzhou, Qingdao, Wuhan, Guangzhou and then, our very own Nanjing.
毫不奇怪，该政策首先在上海和北京推出，随后是杭州、青岛、武汉、广州等城市，然后是我们自己的南京。
Later, the visa-free policy came to Shijiazhuang and Shenyang, and from 1 January of this year, the club was joined by Xiamen and Kunming.
后来，石家庄和沈阳实行了免签证政策，从今年1月1日起，厦门和昆明也加入了俱乐部。
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The choice for the latest batch of cities is no coincidence. China is keen to promote both tourism and her treasured Belt and Road Initiative. The new club members are significant to both.
最新一批城市的选择并非巧合。 中国热衷于促进旅游业及其珍贵的“一带一路”倡议。 俱乐部的新成员对双方都很重要。
Sichuan Province, as an example, is an important part of the Silk Road that is also traditional home to the panda. From 1 December, the capital of Chengdu plus 11 more cities will be added, including the popular tourist destination of Leshan, famed for the giant Buddha statue.
例如，四川省是丝绸之路的重要组成部分，也是熊猫的传统家园。 从12月1日起，首都成都和另外11个城市将增加，包括以巨型佛像而闻名的热门旅游目的地乐山。
Other cities to receive the policy include Chongqing Municipality, Ningbo and Xi’an, site of the Terracotta Army.
其他接受政策的城市包括重庆市、宁波和兵马俑所在地西安。
According to news outlet, ECNS, spokesman for the Immigration Administration, Chen Bin, said, “These cities are the key areas of the Belt and Road Initiative. … More opportunities and cooperation concerning business, travel and culture are expected to be brought to the cities as a result of the new policy”.
据通讯社ECNS移民局发言人陈斌称：“这些城市是“一带一路”倡议的关键地区。 …由于新政策，预计城市将带来更多关于商业、旅游和文化的机会和合作。”
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For those interested in taking advantage of the visa-free policy, it should be carefully noted that the initiative applies only to international transits, i.e. passengers holding connecting tickets to a third country or region. As an example, a passenger travelling from Helsinki to Nanjing and then on to Hong Kong would have the right to exercise a visa-free visit to China.
对于那些有兴趣利用免签证政策的人来说，应该仔细注意的是，该倡议仅适用于国际过境，即持有前往第三国或地区的转机机票的乘客。 例如，从赫尔辛基到南京，然后前往香港的乘客将有权免签证访问中国。
With Nanjing as the port of entry, the visa-free policy permits travel to all of Jiangsu and Zhejiang Provinces, as well as Shanghai Municipality.
以南京为入境口岸，免签证政策允许前往所有江苏省和浙江省以及上海市。
A further restriction is the fact that the visa-free policy is only available to citizens of 53 countries. The Nanjinger recommends to check thoroughly for the latest up-to-date information prior to purchasing tickets, as all kinds of regulations in China change frequently.
另一个限制是，免签证政策仅适用于53个国家的公民。 《南京人》建议在购票前彻底查看最新信息，因为中国的各种法规经常变化。
With China receiving as many as 36 million foreign visitors in 2018, the ever-growing list of cities offering the visa-free policy has the potential to be a godsend that could provide a much-needed boost to the country’s image abroad.
随着2018年中国接待了多达3600万外国游客，越来越多的提供免签证政策的城市名单有可能成为天赐良机，为该国在国外的形象提供急需的提升。
