China Expands Visa-Free Policy to 38 Countries

On November 22, the Consular Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced an expansion of China’s visa-free policy. From November 30, 2024, to December 31, 2025, ordinary passport holders from Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, and Japan will enjoy visa-free access to China on a trial basis. This marks the second announcement in November, following a similar policy on November 1 that extended visa-free travel to Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, and South Korea.

On the same day, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs unveiled further optimizations to its entry policy. These adjustments include expanding the visa-free scope to cover exchange visits and extending the visa-free stay period from 15 days to 30 days. Starting November 30, 2024, ordinary passport holders from 38 visa-exempt countries can enter China visa-free for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, exchange visits, or transit for up to 30 days. Those not meeting the criteria must still obtain a visa prior to entry.

The announcement had an immediate impact: within 30 minutes, searches for China-related destinations on Ctrip’s European and Japanese platforms surged by 65% and 112%, respectively. Direct flights from Japan to Chinese cities were especially in demand.

With the inclusion of these nine new countries, China now offers unilateral visa-free access to nearly 40 countries. Currently, tourists from these countries account for over 30% of China’s inbound tourism orders. As the visa-free policy gains traction, it is expected to further drive growth in China’s inbound tourism sector. Will this initiative herald a new era of revitalized inbound tourism for China?

Audi and SAIC Launch New All-Electric Luxury Brand “AUDI” for the Chinese Market

On November 7, Audi and SAIC Motor officially launched their new luxury electric vehicle brand, AUDI, introducing the first production concept car, the AUDI E Concept. At the Guangzhou Auto Show on November 15, the AUDI E Concept was showcased alongside the all-new Audi Q6L e-tron, Audi Q6L Sportback e-tron, and Audi A5L Limousine. Additionally, Paris Olympic women’s singles tennis champion Zheng Qinwen was announced as the first brand ambassador for AUDI.

The AUDI brand is a collaborative effort between Audi and SAIC, with Audi leveraging its expertise in exterior design and mechanical engineering, while SAIC focuses on electronic architecture, smart cockpit development, and intelligent driving systems.

The first production model under the AUDI brand is set to launch next year. The vehicle features an 800V architecture, dual-motor all-wheel drive, a combined system power of 570 kW, and a CLTC range exceeding 700 kilometers. Impressively, the car supports ultra-fast charging, allowing an 370 kilometers of range with just a 10-minute charge.

Huawei Solidifies Leadership in Foldable Market with Upcoming Mate X6 Launch

On November 20, Huawei officially announced that its latest foldable flagship smartphone, the Mate X6, will debut at the Huawei Mate Brand Celebration on November 26. The company has also opened zero-cost preorders for the device. Reports suggest that the Mate X6 is expected to feature a Kirin processor, support the latest communication technologies, and offer satellite communication capabilities.

According to BCI Communications Research, Huawei’s foldable smartphone sales in Q3 2024 surged by 97% year-on-year, maintaining its position as the top-selling brand in China’s foldable phone market. A report by iResearch further highlights Huawei as the first manufacturer to cover all foldable form factors, including inward-horizontal, outward-horizontal, and vertical folding designs.

Looking at the broader market, an IDC report forecasts that China’s foldable phone shipments will reach 10.68 million units in 2024, marking a 52.4% year-on-year growth. By 2028, this figure is expected to exceed 17 million units, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19.8% over five years.

The launch of the Mate X6 reinforces Huawei’s leadership in the foldable phone segment, solidifying its innovative edge and strong market presence in a rapidly growing industry.

Court Defends Employee Rights in Unlawful Termination Case Over Workplace Nap

Zhang, a longtime employee with over 20 years of service at a chemical company in Taixing, Jiangsu province, was fired after being found sleeping at his workstation for one hour. Reports revealed that Zhang, a department manager, had worked late into the night and unintentionally fell asleep at his desk the following day. The company cited a “serious violation of company regulations” as the reason for his dismissal.

In a landmark decision, the Taixing City People’s Court ruled that Zhang’s termination was unlawful and ordered the company to compensate him with over 350,000 yuan. While the court acknowledged that Zhang’s nap breached company rules, it determined that the incident did not cause significant loss or disruption to the company’s operations. The court further noted that the company’s decision to dismiss Zhang based solely on this single infraction was both unreasonable and disproportionately harsh.

This ruling underscores the importance of balancing disciplinary actions with fairness and proportionality, serving as a reminder for companies to respect employee rights while enforcing workplace policies.

Evan Kail’s Heartfelt Visit to China Two Years After WWII Photo Album Donation

Two years after donating a World War II photo album to China, Evan Kail embarked on his first trip to the country, receiving a heartwarming reception both online and in person. Upon his arrival in Beijing, crowds gathered at the airport to greet him, while tens of millions joined live streams to welcome him. Recognized by numerous fans, Evan was inundated with warm greetings and photo requests. A particularly touching moment occurred when a visitor noticed his light clothing and gifted him a military coat. Thrilled, Evan remarked, “This is the coolest coat I’ve ever had.” Reflecting on the reception, he shared, “I received the warmest welcome when I got off the plane. I still can’t believe all the people waiting to say hello. It really warmed my heart, and I’m so excited to be here.”

Evan plans to spend a month exploring Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, and Nanjing, expressing enthusiasm for delving into China’s culture and history. Discussing his motivation for the trip, Evan said:

“I donated the World War II photobook album to China two years ago and received this national porcelain gift in return. This experience profoundly influenced me. I’ve felt incredible positivity from so many people in China and around the world, and that’s what matters most.”

Commemorating the second anniversary of the donation, he added, “I’m eager to witness China’s culture, its history, and its people, and to see how the China depicted in the photo album has transformed over the past century.”

In 2023, on the one-year anniversary of the donation, Evan released a seven-minute video of the album’s electronic files and opened up about the cyber violence, death threats, and conspiracy theories he faced after the donation. Despite these challenges, he stands firm in his values, stating:

“And I hope everybody on Earth carries that virtue. I did this because doing the right thing knows no borders.”

Evan Kail’s journey to China serves as a reminder of how a single act of goodwill can transcend borders and inspire profound connections across cultures.