Brussels, 12/02/2004 (Agence Europe) - The European Union and China signed, on Wednesday in Beijing, an agreement aimed at facilitating visits to Europe by Chinese tourists. The agreement, to take effect by this summer, provides for simplified procedures for the issuance of tourist visas by the 12 Member States that have been attributed the status of "authorised destination" by Beijing (Ireland, Denmark and the United Kingdom are currently negotiating similar bilateral agreements with the Chinese authorities). In this context, China has also agreed to repatriate its nationals who remain in a country illegally after expiry of their visas.
"This is a good thing for China and Europe", External Relations Commissioner Chris Patten was pleased to note. He was "convinced that the new agreement will help Europe and China to know each other better and will be the source of new trading possibilities". "The next stage will consist in consolidating our cooperation on migration in every form", he added. Hitherto, groups of Chinese tourists had not been authorised to travel to Europe and only individual tourism was allowed for specific destinations, even if other visitors were able to go to those places with visas (business, family visits, etc.). From now on, the EU consulates in China will simplify and facilitate issuance of tourist visas for groups (of at least 5 persons) once the request for a visa has been made through Chinese travel agents specifically accredited for this. The protocol of agreement was signed on behalf of the European Community by Deputy Director General for External Relations at the European Commission Hervé Jouanjean, by the Irish Ambassador to China, Declan Connolly, for the Union Presidency, and by the President of the National Administration for Tourism of the People's Republic of China, He Guangwei.