New Delhi: In a notable outreach to strengthen people-to-people ties, the Chinese Embassy in India has issued over 85,000 visas to Indian citizens between January 1 and April 9, 2025.
Chinese Ambassador Xu Feihong shared the update on X, saying, “Welcome more Indian friends to visit China, experience an open, safe, vibrant, sincere and friendly China.”
Visa Relaxations for Indians
To ease travel, China has rolled out several measures for Indian applicants:
- No prior appointments needed to apply for visas.
- Biometric data waived for short-term visits.
- Lower visa fees to encourage travel.
- Faster visa processing, benefiting students, tourists, and businesspersons.
Context: Trump’s Tariff Rhetoric
Amid U.S. tariff threats under Donald Trump’s renewed leadership, China has pushed for stronger South-South partnerships. Chinese Embassy spokesperson Yu Jing said, “China-India economic and trade relationship is based on complementarity and mutual benefit… Trade wars have no winners.”
Soft Power & Cultural Diplomacy
Despite unresolved tensions at the LAC, this gesture is viewed as a soft power effort by Beijing to reset narratives and build grassroots goodwill through travel, education, and business exchanges.
China remains a top destination for Indian students, especially for medical education. Many are now resuming studies post-pandemic disruptions.