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EU-China Landmark Tourism Agreement Comes into Force

On May 1, 2004, a landmark EU-China agreement facilitating Chinese tourism to Europe came into force. Chinese tourists using selected travel agencies will benefit from simplified procedures for tourist visas issued by 22 EU Member States. To meet common concerns about illegal immigration, the agreement also includes provisions for the return to China of its nationals in case they stay in Europe longer than their visas allow. It is expected to generate significant flows of Chinese visitors to Europe, thus boosting EU-China tourism and people-to-people contacts.

The Memorandum of Understanding on Approved Destination Status (ADS), which was initialed during the October 30, 2003, EU-China Summit in Beijing and signed on February 12 2004, is the largest ADS agreement ever concluded by China and will facilitate Chinese tourist groups access to most Member States of the European Union (namely Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Poland, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden).

Consulates of these Member States in China will simplify and facilitate delivery of tourism visas for groups (with a minimum of 5 persons) which will apply through designated Chinese travel agencies. Member States fully implementing the Schengen acquis will issue Schengen visas to Chinese groups allowing them to freely travel within the Schengen area. However, EU acceding countries will only deliver national visas to Chinese groups until the date they are allowed to issue Schengen visas. China on its part agreed to take back possible over-staying tourists according to Article 5 of the agreement.

Ireland, Denmark and the United Kingdom do not participate in the Community ADS Agreement, but will conclude similar bilateral accords with the China National Tourism Administration. The agreement with Denmark is already signed and the one with Ireland should be signed during the visit of Prime Minister Wen in May. Negotiation of the UK accord is advanced.