STORY: Spain sees surge in travel to China following visa-free policy
SHOOTING TIME: Feb. 21, 2025
DATELINE: Feb. 23, 2025
LENGTH: 0:01:20
LOCATION: BARCELONA, Spain
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Spain and China
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Catalan): RICARD FIGUERAS, Spanish citizen
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Spanish): ANDREA BERSELLINI, Spanish student
4. various of China
5. SOUNDBITE 3 (Catalan): RICARD FIGUERAS, Spanish citizen  
6. SOUNDBITE 4 (Spanish) ANDREA BERSELLINI, Spanish student 

STORYLINE:

Spain has been witnessing a surge in travel to China as a result of visa-free policies.

China's latest moves include an extended visa-free entry policy introduced in November of last year. Now, ordinary passport holders from 38 countries can visit China for a maximum of 30 days without applying for a visa.

Spanish travel agencies have responded by expanding their packages. Meanwhile, direct flights between the two countries have returned to pre-pandemic levels, further facilitating travels.

For many Spanish travelers, China's landscapes, historical sites, and modern cities leave a lasting impression.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Catalan): RICARD FIGUERAS, Spanish citizen
"What leaves a lasting impression on me and what I remember most are the caves at Datong which I didn't know about at all. The typical thing you think about when touring in China is the Great Wall, Beijing, Shanghai, but there are very beautiful areas that I didn't know about."

SOUNDBITE 2 (Spanish): ANDREA BERSELLINI, Spanish student
"I was very surprised by how modern it (Shanghai) was. When I thought about Beijing, I imagined a more traditional China. In Shanghai, the skyscrapers are impressive and that whole area is incredible."

Beyond the sights, many Spaniards interviewed by Xinhua highlighted the warmth and hospitality of the Chinese people.

SOUNDBITE 3 (Catalan): RICARD FIGUERAS, Spanish citizen
"I felt a little bit lost at times, but the people were very nice and everyone helped you."

SOUNDBITE 4 (Spanish) ANDREA BERSELLINI, Spanish student
"The people were very welcoming and very kind. The truth is that everyone we came across was very friendly and kind."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Barcelona, Spain.
(XHTV)