While American taxpayers are left footing the bill for border security and drowning in government overreach, China is rolling out the red carpet—welcoming tourists from over 70 countries with open arms and zero visa requirements, all in the name of boosting their own economy and global influence.
At a Glance
- China now allows tourists from 74 countries to enter visa-free, with Azerbaijan joining the list in July 2025, bringing the total to 75.
- Over 20 million foreign tourists entered China visa-free in 2024, more than double the previous year’s number.
- The dramatic policy shift aims to revive China’s sagging tourism industry and project a friendlier international image.
- Certain countries—like the UK, Sweden, and most of Africa—are conspicuously excluded, fueling speculation about political motivations.
China’s Border: Open for Business—But Only for the Right Countries
While America is tightening the screws at its own borders and spending billions to keep illegal immigration in check, China is taking a different tack: throwing open its doors to foreign tourists—provided you come from the right part of the world. As of mid-2025, the Chinese government has expanded visa-free entry to nationals from 74 countries, with Azerbaijan about to join the club. The goal? Simple: bring in tourist dollars, polish up China’s global image, and maybe, just maybe, distract from its own internal headaches.
Here’s the kicker: after years of pandemic paranoia and some of the world’s most draconian border controls, China’s about-face is jaw-dropping. In 2019, China boasted nearly 32 million foreign visitors. That number cratered once COVID hit, with 2023’s figures stuck at less than half the pre-pandemic peak. But now, with more than 20 million foreign visitors entering China visa-free in 2024—doubling the previous year and accounting for nearly one-third of all arrivals—the country’s tourism sector is roaring back, at least for those lucky enough to be on Beijing’s good side.
Winners, Losers, and the Politics of “Welcome”
So who’s cashing in? European nations, much of Latin America, and a handful of favored Asian and Middle Eastern countries. Tour operators are reportedly “overwhelmed” by demand, and cities like Shanghai and Hainan are basking in record-breaking numbers. Shanghai alone saw 2.6 million foreign visits in the first half of 2025—a 45% jump year-on-year—with the majority entering under the new visa-free policy. Hotels, airlines, and English-speaking tour guides are scrambling to keep up, with some launching crash courses just to fill the gap. The economic surge is real, at least for the travel industry and local economies in China’s top tourist hubs.
But not everyone is invited to the party. The UK, Sweden, and most African countries are noticeably absent from China’s visa-free list. The official line is never explicit, but let’s not kid ourselves: this is geopolitics masquerading as hospitality. If you’re on Beijing’s naughty list, you’re out—no matter how much your citizens might want to spend on overpriced souvenirs in Shanghai. And while the Chinese government boasts about “openness,” make no mistake: this policy is as much about political leverage as it is about filling hotel rooms.
America Clamps Down While China Rolls Out the Red Carpet
Let’s talk irony. While the United States is finally starting to get serious about border security—thank you, new administration—China is betting the farm on an influx of foreign tourists. As American officials pour billions into border walls, surveillance, and law enforcement, Beijing is slashing red tape and inviting the world (well, most of it) to come spend freely. The contrast couldn’t be starker: in the U.S., we’re fighting tooth and nail to reverse years of open-border insanity, stemming the tide of illegal entries and reclaiming sovereignty. Meanwhile, China is using its borders as a tool of economic warfare, welcoming deep-pocketed travelers and snubbing countries it doesn’t like.
Some industry insiders are practically giddy. Jenny Zhao, head of a major China travel company, says business is up 50% over pre-pandemic levels, with European clients now making up a fifth of her bookings. Others, like tour guide Gao Jun, can barely keep up with the new demand, launching their own training programs just to find enough English speakers to handle the crowds. For the Chinese tourism sector and its workers, this is a bonanza. For American taxpayers still footing the bill for out-of-control spending on illegal immigration, it’s enough to make your blood boil.
The Real Agenda: Soft Power, Economic Muscle, and Selective Friendship
China’s grand visa-free experiment isn’t just about boosting the bottom line. It’s a calculated move to project an image of openness and hospitality, to lure back tourists, and to strengthen ties with countries that play ball diplomatically. The surge in tourism dollars is great for local economies and travel businesses, but the real payoff is in soft power. Every selfie snapped along the Great Wall, every euro or peso spent in a Shanghai mall, is a tiny victory in Beijing’s quest for global influence.
But let’s not forget the fine print. Many of these visa-free deals are on a one-year trial basis, and China can—and will—pull the plug if it suits their interests. Countries on the outs with Beijing shouldn’t hold their breath. The message is clear: play nice, or pay the price. In the meantime, Americans can watch from the sidelines, wondering how a communist regime manages to outmaneuver the West at its own game—using borders not as a liability, but as a weapon of economic and diplomatic power.
