In a colourful turn of phrase at the March 8 NPC press conference, Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged European businesses to "step out of the attic of protectionism and into the gymnasium of the Chinese market." The remark, carried by Global Times, doubled as a sales pitch for Beijing’s recent easing of entry formalities for EU nationals.
Officials confirmed that since November last year, five EU member states—France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain—have enjoyed unilateral 15-day visa-free access for business and tourism. Talks are in progress to extend the privilege to another six, including Sweden and Denmark, by mid-2026.
![Global Times: China Invites Europe Out of ‘Attic of Protectionism,’ Highlights Visa Liberalization]()
European chambers welcomed the rhetoric but said they would judge success by wait times at major airports and the breadth of digital-payment acceptance. “A visa waiver is only step one; our members still complain about onboarding their cards into local e-wallets,” said Bettina Schoen-Behanzin, vice-president of the EU Chamber of Commerce in China.
Trade lawyers note that easier staff travel supports Beijing’s parallel bid to keep the EU from tightening export-control screening. “Business mobility and market access are two sides of the same coin,” observed Joerg Wuttke, former EU Chamber chair.
If additional EU countries secure waivers, the Ministry of Commerce estimates bilateral trade could gain an extra 20 billion USD in 2027 alone, owing mainly to smoother after-sales service rotations and supplier audits.
Officials confirmed that since November last year, five EU member states—France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain—have enjoyed unilateral 15-day visa-free access for business and tourism. Talks are in progress to extend the privilege to another six, including Sweden and Denmark, by mid-2026.
European chambers welcomed the rhetoric but said they would judge success by wait times at major airports and the breadth of digital-payment acceptance. “A visa waiver is only step one; our members still complain about onboarding their cards into local e-wallets,” said Bettina Schoen-Behanzin, vice-president of the EU Chamber of Commerce in China.
Trade lawyers note that easier staff travel supports Beijing’s parallel bid to keep the EU from tightening export-control screening. “Business mobility and market access are two sides of the same coin,” observed Joerg Wuttke, former EU Chamber chair.
If additional EU countries secure waivers, the Ministry of Commerce estimates bilateral trade could gain an extra 20 billion USD in 2027 alone, owing mainly to smoother after-sales service rotations and supplier audits.
Source: Global Times
