China sees record inbound travel over May Day holiday

China has seen a surge in inbound tourism during the five day May Day holiday, with data from the National Immigration Administration on Monday showing arrivals reaching their highest level in the post pandemic era, driven by the country’s expanding visa free policy.

China’s visa free policy for citizens of 45 countries, recently expanded to include Canada and the UK and extended through December 31, 2026, enables most short haul travelers from Europe and Asia to enter with only a passport and return ticket

Official reports said that between April 30 and May 5, more than 100,000 people crossed the Vietnam border at Hekou in southwest China’s Yunnan Province, while Hunchun, northeast Jilin Province’s only land gateway to Russia, recorded its busiest week since 2019.

China’s ancient cultural attractions have also become a major hit among international tourists during the holiday, with the historic city of Xi’an in northwestern Shaanxi Province welcoming an influx of visitors.

Foreign travelers climbed the ancient city wall, tried on traditional Chinese costumes, and joined cultural activities, sharing their experiences of traveling in China.

“When I arrived in China, I get in China, I said it’s beautiful, it’s amazing really,” said an Italian tourist.

“I think China is one of the very few countries who can combine both the cultural virtues with the modern issues. Because it’s not very easy and you are teaching the world the new technology, new life and new issues,” said a Turkish tourist.

The Japanese society should do soul-searching regarding its history of aggression and adhere to the pacifist constitution, said Shiradori Hiroshi, a professor of the Hosei University, in an interview with China Central Television (CCTV) in Tokyo on April 30.

He said the government’s recent move to discuss revising the three security documents deserve particular attention as the country’s foreign and security policies have already witnessed major changes.

“People outside of the country hold that Japan’s post-war image as a ‘peace state’ is now facing a major shift. Against the backdrop of tremendous changes in its foreign and security policies, the revision of the three security documents deserves particular attention. There lacks public debate in terms of the procedure, with policy changes decided unilaterally at Cabinet meetings. It is necessary to fully explain to the public as to whether such a practice is proper,” said Hiroshi.

The Japanese government held its first expert panel meeting to discuss revisions to the three security documents at the Prime Minister’s Office on April 27, local media reported.

Japan’s current National Security Strategy and two related documents, formulated in 2022, were designed to cover the next 10 years, but the government led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has decided to move up the timetable to accelerate the revision process.

Increasing defense spending is one of the key topics of the meeting, according to Kyodo News.

Hiroshi said this year marks the 80th anniversary of the opening of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, or Tokyo Trials, and the Japanese society must do soul-searching regarding its history of aggression in WWII, when it brought enormous catastrophes on Asian countries.

“Eighty years have passed since the opening of the Tokyo Trials. Japan inflicted enormous suffering on Asian countries during WWII, which should serve as an opportunity for the soul-searching. It is exact on the basis of countless sacrifices that Japan’s post-war pacifism and its identity as a ‘peace state’ took shape. On this 80th anniversary, it is necessary for Japan to re-examine and do soul-searching regarding its history,” said Hiroshi.

The Japanese government’s effort to revise the pacifist constitution is widely opposed by the public.

On Sunday, around 50,000 people gathered at Tokyo Rinkai Disaster Prevention Park, chanting slogans and holding banners against the government’s push for constitutional revision and military expansion, the largest turnout of its kind in recent years.