China - October 17, 2024

Visa-free policy to better connect China, Greece

(Voice_over)

Kostas Mathiopoulos knows this airport line all too well, having traveled to China countless times over years. But this time, the wait feels different—less frustrating.

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Kostas Mathiopoulos, Kung fu instructor:

"I've been traveling to China every year since 1996. I have to say, this is the first time it's been this easy—no paperwork for the visa and no need to spend money on one."

(Voice_over)

As a kung fu instructor, Kostas visits China once a year for training and seminars, but with the new visa rules, he’s planning to go more often.

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Kostas Mathiopoulos, Kung fu instructor:

"Even though the visa is only for two weeks at a time, it still allows me to travel more often throughout the year, not just once. This way, I can maintain a closer connection with my sensei and bring more value to my students back in Greece."

(Voice_over)

Greece, along with Cyprus, Portugal, and Slovenia are the latest batch of countries to be granted visa-free travel to China for a two week period.

The newly introduced pilot program is set to run through December 2025.

While direct flights from Athens to Beijing and Shanghai have made the journey more accessible, the visa-free policy further simplifies travel.

It’s thought this will boost tourism and foster deeper business and cultural links.

(Sound_bite)

Nikos Chardalias, Attica Governor:

"Our priority has been to strengthen ties with the People's Republic of China within a strategic framework, not sporadically. I believe China-Greek relations are currently at their best. However, local government relations, particularly between regions and Chinese provinces, have seen some stagnation. The key issue was the lack of a broad strategic plan, which limited long-term prospects. This new initiative offers an opportunity to enhance relations, not just between governments, but also between people, cultures, and businesses.”

(Voice_over)

In 2024, flights between Greece and China have picked up, with Air China bumping up its Athens-Beijing route to five flights a week and increasing seat capacity by 128 percent.

For travelers like Kostas, the new visa-free policy will make a big difference. He’s already planning to make more trips to ensure he keeps up to date on the latest martial arts techniques.

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