STORY: Greeks welcome China's new visa-free policy
SHOOTING TIME: Oct. 17, 2024
DATELINE: Oct. 19, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:09
LOCATION: Athens
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the Athens International Airport
2. various of Chinese Visa Application Center in Athens
3. various of check in procedure to air flight from Athens to Shanghai
4. SOUNDBITE 1 (Greek): EVELINA ARAPIDI, Greek actress
5. SOUNDBITE 2 (Greek): THEODORE SOTIRIDIS, Greek travel agent
6. SOUNDBITE 3 (Greek): PETROS VLACHOPOULOS, Greek travel agent

STORYLINE:

Greek citizens have warmly welcomed China's new visa-free policy, which took effect earlier this week, offering easier and more affordable travel opportunities.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Greek): EVELINA ARAPIDI, Greek actress
"This is a wonderful gift. Obtaining a visa can be both time-consuming and expensive, so this is an incredible opportunity. There are too many places (in China) that I didn't have time to visit and I will be very happy to return to explore them."

Starting from Oct. 15, Greek citizens with ordinary passports can visit China for up to 15 days without a visa for tourism, business, family reunification, or transit.

The new visa policy will last until Dec. 31, 2025.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Greek): THEODORE SOTIRIDIS, Greek travel agent
"Now with the lifting of the visa, it is a very easy trip. It is a very economical trip. I would like to thank the Chinese government for this measure, which is obviously a pilot program, just as any big change starts as a pilot scheme at first. I think and hope it will become permanent."

In addition to the visa exemption, Greek travelers now benefit from several direct flight options between the two countries. Air China established direct flights between Athens and Beijing in 2017, and this spring, China's Juneyao Airlines launched direct flights between Athens and Shanghai, further enhancing travel convenience.

SOUNDBITE 3 (Greek): PETROS VLACHOPOULOS, Greek travel agent 
"China is always a destination that Greeks choose, mainly because of the history and because of the very important monuments that one can see. Many air carriers now connect (directly) Greece with China, so both access and cost are easy."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Athens.
(XHTV)