STORY: Visa-free travel draws attention among cultural event participants in China's Nanjing
SHOOTING TIME: July 6, 2024
DATELINE: July 11, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:16
LOCATION: NANJING, China
CATEGORY: CULTURE

SHOTLIST:
1. various of artists from various countries traveling in Nanjing
2. various of artists from various countries participating in the competition
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): JAZZ LAWRENCE, MA Immersive Arts (Virtual and Augmented Reality), University of Bristol
4. various of artists from various countries participating in the competition
5. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): ROSALIND COLEMAN, Creative producer, director, screenwriter
6. various of artists from various countries traveling in Nanjing
7. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): JAZZ LAWRENCE, MA Immersive Arts (Virtual and Augmented Reality), University of Bristol
8. SOUNDBITE 4 (English): NIALL HILL, Instructor of Immersive Factual Storytelling, University College London

STORYLINE:

As China's 72/144-hour transit visa-free policies gain attention, many foreign visitors participating in a cultural event in China's Nanjing are already planning their next trip to China.

In the cultural heritage makers' competition, artists from various countries came together to design digital immersive tour programs on the Porcelain Tower of Nanjing, an ancient Buddhist tower rebuilt several times.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): JAZZ LAWRENCE, MA Immersive Arts (Virtual and Augmented Reality), University of Bristol
"In our piece, we use projection mapping and binaural audio. Our piece kind of features all three versions of the tower, so they kind of get to learn about the history that this building has been torn down and rebuilt throughout time. And it has been a cultural meeting place and kind of international hub for people to come together and talk about culture."

The top three proposals will be presented as offline exhibitions this autumn.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): ROSALIND COLEMAN, Creative producer, director, screenwriter
"I genuinely believe that this whole program is an opportunity for people who might be using the 144-visa (72/144-hour visa-free transit policies) in the future to come and interact with the city of Nanjing because it will provide such a new access point and gateway because of its internationalism."

Currently, foreign nationals from 54 countries are eligible for the 72/144-hour transit visa-free policies that are effective at dozens of ports across China. 

During visa-free stays, tourists are permitted to engage in short-term activities such as travel and business visits.

SOUNDBITE 3 (English): JAZZ LAWRENCE, MA Immersive Arts (Virtual and Augmented Reality), University of Bristol
"Nanjing would definitely be up there (on my travel list). The architecture is just beautiful walking through the city. You just feel like you're a part of history and it's a rich cultural place."

SOUNDBITE 4 (English): NIALL HILL, Instructor of Immersive Factual Storytelling, University College London
"If I had a 144-hour visa in China, I'd like to visit Shanghai again. (It) seems like a very interesting city. I've also been meaning to visit Guilin for quite a long time. I know it's quite a popular place to visit. It looks very beautiful. And I'd like to see more of rural China. China is a big place and there's a lot I'd like to see."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Nanjing, China.
(XHTV)