STORY: Visa-free travel boosts tourism for China, Singapore
SHOOTING TIME: Recent footage
DATELINE: Feb. 14, 2024
LENGTH: 0:01:14
LOCATION: Singapore
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the airport
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): EDMUND ONG, General Manager, Trip.com Singapore
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): CHEN WUYI, Tourist
4. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): FENG SHAOXIANG, Tourist
5. SOUNDBITE 4 (Chinese): EDDIE CHIANG, Assistant Director of Lifestyle and Experience, Resorts World Sentosa

STORYLINE:

A 30-day visa-free travel between China and Singapore has been welcomed by citizens on both sides.

The visa-free policy took effect last Friday, the Chinese New Year's Eve. 

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): EDMUND ONG, General Manager, Trip.com Singapore
"I think this arrangement has actually simplified the process for Chinese tourists to visit Singapore. And this actually allowed them to make perhaps last-minute travel to Singapore, per se. And I think travel not only brings about travel for individual experiences, but the cultural exchange between Singaporeans and Chinese on a daily basis when they go out on their trips. These will foster a closer relationship between Singaporeans and the Chinese people."

SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): CHEN WUYI, Tourist
"The whole customs clearance process was very smooth, and it was very convenient to pass through the customs and collect my luggage."

SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): FENG SHAOXIANG, Tourist 
"Overall, it feels very convenient. In the past, we needed to prepare a lot of materials, but now we don't need them at all, just come to Singapore directly. You are coming to another country, but you don't feel like that."

SOUNDBITE 4 (Chinese): EDDIE CHIANG, Assistant Director of Lifestyle and Experience, Resorts World Sentosa
"We have received a lot of inquiries from Chinese tourists. We have arranged for Chinese-speaking staff members to answer these queries, hoping to provide the best services to Chinese tourists."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Singapore.
(XHTV)