China is currently conducting a trial of visa-free travel for citizens from six countries: France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia. This trial will last for one year, from December to November 2024. During this period, ordinary passport holders from these countries will be able to visit China for business or travel purposes without needing a visa for up to 15 days. The aim of this trial is to promote China’s high-quality development and opening up, according to spokesperson Mao Ning.
Typically, most travelers need a visa to enter China. However, there are a few exceptions, such as citizens of Singapore and Brunei who can enter China for business, tourism, family visits, and transit for a maximum of 15 days without a visa. It was only in March of this year that China began issuing all types of visas again, after imposing strict travel restrictions in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For three years, China had some of the strictest COVID-19 measures in the world, including travel restrictions, lockdowns, and frequent testing requirements. These measures had a significant impact on the economy, and China’s zero-COVID policy was only lifted in December 2020. Prior to the pandemic, China used to welcome tens of millions of international visitors each year.
This trial of visa-free travel for citizens from six countries is a positive step towards reopening China’s borders and revitalizing its tourism industry. It is hoped that this trial will attract more international visitors and contribute to China’s high-quality development and opening up.
Original news source: China trials visa-free travel for six countries (BBC)
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Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– News Summary
Instructions: In pairs, students will read the article and create a concise summary of the main points. They should focus on capturing the key information and presenting it in a clear and organized manner. After completing their summaries, students can take turns sharing with the class.
– Opinion Poll
Instructions: As a class, students will discuss their opinions on the trial of visa-free travel in China. The teacher can provide a list of questions related to the topic, such as “Do you think visa-free travel will attract more international visitors to China?” or “What potential benefits or drawbacks do you see in this trial?” Students can express their opinions and provide reasons to support their views.
– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: In small groups, students will take turns selecting a vocabulary word from the article. Without using any words, they will draw a picture to represent the word and their group members will try to guess what it is. This activity will help students practice their vocabulary comprehension and communication skills.
– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Students will work individually to create a list of pros and cons regarding the trial of visa-free travel in China. They should consider both the potential benefits and drawbacks of this policy. After completing their lists, students can pair up and discuss their ideas, explaining and defending their viewpoints.
– Future Predictions
Instructions: In pairs or small groups, students will discuss and make predictions about the future of visa-free travel in China. They can consider questions such as “Will China extend the trial period?” or “What impact will visa-free travel have on China’s tourism industry in the long term?” Students should support their predictions with logical reasoning and evidence from the article.
Comprehension Questions:
1. Which countries are participating in the trial of visa-free travel to China?
2. How long will the trial of visa-free travel last?
3. What is the purpose of the trial of visa-free travel?
4. What are the exceptions for entering China without a visa?
5. When did China begin issuing all types of visas again after the COVID-19 pandemic?
6. What were some of the strict COVID-19 measures implemented by China?
7. What impact did these measures have on China’s economy?
8. How does the trial of visa-free travel contribute to China’s goals of high-quality development and opening up?
Go to answers ⇩
Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
China is currently conducting a (1)______ of visa-free (2)______ for citizens from six countries: France, Germany, Italy, the (3)______, Spain, and Malaysia. This trial will last for one year, from December to November 2024. During this period, ordinary (4)______ holders from these countries will be able to visit China for business or travel purposes without needing a visa for up to 15 days. The aim of this trial is to promote China’s high-quality development and opening up, according to spokesperson Mao Ning.
Typically, most (5)______ need a visa to enter China. However, there are a few (6)______, such as citizens of Singapore and (7)______ who can enter China for business, tourism, family visits, and (8)______ for a maximum of 15 days without a visa. It was only in March of this year that China began issuing all types of visas again, after (9)______ strict travel restrictions in March 2020 due to the (10)______ pandemic.
For three years, China had some of the strictest COVID-19 (11)______ in the world, including travel restrictions, lockdowns, and frequent testing requirements. These measures had a significant impact on the economy, and China’s zero-COVID policy was only (12)______ in December 2020. Prior to the (13)______, China used to welcome tens of (14)______ of international visitors each year.
This trial of visa-free travel for citizens from six countries is a positive step towards re(15)______ China’s borders and revitalizing its tourism industry. It is hoped that this trial will (16)______ more international visitors and contribute to China’s high-quality development and opening up.
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Discussion Questions:
Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.
1. What is your opinion on China’s trial of visa-free travel for citizens from six countries?
2. How would you feel if your country participated in a trial of visa-free travel to China?
3. Do you think visa-free travel will attract more international visitors to China? Why or why not?
4. What impact do you think the trial of visa-free travel will have on China’s tourism industry?
5. Have you ever traveled to China? If so, what was your experience like obtaining a visa?
6. How do you think the trial of visa-free travel will contribute to China’s high-quality development and opening up?
7. Do you think other countries should also implement visa-free travel for certain countries? Why or why not?
8. What do you think are the benefits of visa-free travel for both travelers and the host country?
9. How do you think the trial of visa-free travel will affect the economy of the six participating countries?
10. What challenges do you think China may face in implementing visa-free travel for citizens from six countries?
11. Do you think visa-free travel should be extended beyond the trial period? Why or why not?
12. What measures do you think China should take to ensure the safety and security of visa-free travelers?
13. How do you think the trial of visa-free travel will impact cultural exchange between China and the participating countries?
14. Do you think visa-free travel will encourage more people to visit China for business purposes? Why or why not?
15. What other countries do you think should be included in a trial of visa-free travel to China? Why?
Individual Activities
Vocabulary Meanings:
Match each word to its meaning.
Words:
1. trial
2. visa
3. China
4. travel
5. citizens
6. countries
7. business
8. development
Meanings:
(a) The activity of buying and selling goods or services
(b) The process of growing or improving something
(c) An official document that allows entry into a country
(d) A country in East Asia
(e) People who legally belong to a particular country
(f) The act of going from one place to another
(g) A test or experiment to evaluate something
(h) Nations or states
Go to answers ⇩
Multiple Choice Questions:
1. Which countries are currently included in China’s trial of visa-free travel?
(a) Russia, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Canada, and Brazil
(b) India, United States, United Kingdom, Mexico, Brazil, and Thailand
(c) France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia
(d) Singapore, Brunei, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and South Africa
2. How long will the trial of visa-free travel last?
(a) Six months, from June to November 2023
(b) One year, from December to November 2024
(c) Two years, from January 2022 to December 2023
(d) Three months, from September to November 2022
3. What is the purpose of the trial of visa-free travel?
(a) To restrict international visitors from entering China
(b) To impose strict COVID-19 measures on travelers
(c) To limit the number of tourists in China
(d) To promote China’s high-quality development and opening up
4. Which countries were already exempt from needing a visa to enter China?
(a) France and Germany
(b) Italy and the Netherlands
(c) Spain and Malaysia
(d) Singapore and Brunei
5. When did China begin issuing all types of visas again after the COVID-19 pandemic?
(a) March of this year
(b) December 2020
(c) November 2024
(d) March 2022
6. How long could citizens of Singapore and Brunei stay in China without a visa?
(a) Up to 15 days
(b) Up to 30 days
(c) Up to 60 days
(d) Up to 90 days
7. What impact did China’s COVID-19 measures have on the economy?
(a) They had no impact on the economy
(b) They boosted the economy
(c) They had a significant impact on the economy
(d) They only impacted the tourism industry
8. What is the goal of the trial of visa-free travel for citizens from six countries?
(a) To limit the number of international visitors to China
(b) To attract more international visitors and contribute to China’s high-quality development and opening up
(c) To impose stricter travel restrictions on citizens from these six countries
(d) To extend the trial period beyond one year
Go to answers ⇩
True or False Questions:
1. The trial will last for one month, from December to November 2024.
2. Citizens from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia are not eligible for visa-free travel during the trial.
3. Singapore and Brunei citizens cannot enter China without a visa for up to 15 days.
4. The aim of the trial is to promote China’s high-quality development and opening up.
5. Ordinary passport holders from these countries can visit China for business or travel purposes without a visa for up to 15 days.
6. China is not conducting a trial of visa-free travel for citizens from six countries.
7. China began issuing all types of visas again in March of this year after imposing strict travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
8. The trial of visa-free travel is a positive step towards reopening China’s borders and revitalizing its tourism industry.
Go to answers ⇩
Write a Summary:
Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.
Writing Questions:
Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.
1. Which six countries are currently participating in China’s trial of visa-free travel?
2. How long will the trial of visa-free travel last?
3. Why did China impose strict travel restrictions in March 2020?
4. What impact did China’s COVID-19 measures have on its economy?
5. What is the goal of the trial of visa-free travel for citizens from six countries?
Answers
Comprehension Question Answers:
1. Which countries are participating in the trial of visa-free travel to China?
The countries participating in the trial of visa-free travel to China are France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia.
2. How long will the trial of visa-free travel last?
The trial of visa-free travel will last for one year, from December to November 2024.
3. What is the purpose of the trial of visa-free travel?
The purpose of the trial of visa-free travel is to promote China’s high-quality development and opening up.
4. What are the exceptions for entering China without a visa?
The exceptions for entering China without a visa are citizens of Singapore and Brunei, who can enter China for business, tourism, family visits, and transit for a maximum of 15 days without a visa.
5. When did China begin issuing all types of visas again after the COVID-19 pandemic?
China began issuing all types of visas again in March of this year, after imposing strict travel restrictions in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
6. What were some of the strict COVID-19 measures implemented by China?
Some of the strict COVID-19 measures implemented by China included travel restrictions, lockdowns, and frequent testing requirements.
7. What impact did these measures have on China’s economy?
These measures had a significant impact on China’s economy, as they resulted in a decrease in international visitors and disrupted various industries, such as tourism and hospitality.
8. How does the trial of visa-free travel contribute to China’s goals of high-quality development and opening up?
The trial of visa-free travel contributes to China’s goals of high-quality development and opening up by attracting more international visitors and revitalizing the tourism industry. It promotes the idea of China being open to business and travel, which is essential for its economic growth and international relations.
Go back to questions ⇧
Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:
(1) trial
(2) travel
(3) Netherlands
(4) passport
(5) travelers
(6) exceptions
(7) Brunei
(8) transit
(9) imposing
(10) COVID-19
(11) measures
(12) lifted
(13) pandemic
(14) millions
(15) opening
(16) attract
Go back to questions ⇧
Vocabulary Meanings Answers:
1. trial
Answer: (g) A test or experiment to evaluate something
2. visa
Answer: (c) An official document that allows entry into a country
3. China
Answer: (d) A country in East Asia
4. travel
Answer: (f) The act of going from one place to another
5. citizens
Answer: (e) People who legally belong to a particular country
6. countries
Answer: (h) Nations or states
7. business
Answer: (a) The activity of buying and selling goods or services
8. development
Answer: (b) The process of growing or improving something
Go back to questions ⇧
Multiple Choice Answers:
1. Which countries are currently included in China’s trial of visa-free travel?
Answer: (c) France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia
2. How long will the trial of visa-free travel last?
Answer: (b) One year, from December to November 2024
3. What is the purpose of the trial of visa-free travel?
Answer: (d) To promote China’s high-quality development and opening up
4. Which countries were already exempt from needing a visa to enter China?
Answer: (d) Singapore and Brunei
5. When did China begin issuing all types of visas again after the COVID-19 pandemic?
Answer: (a) March of this year
6. How long could citizens of Singapore and Brunei stay in China without a visa?
Answer: (a) Up to 15 days
7. What impact did China’s COVID-19 measures have on the economy?
Answer: (c) They had a significant impact on the economy
8. What is the goal of the trial of visa-free travel for citizens from six countries?
Answer: (b) To attract more international visitors and contribute to China’s high-quality development and opening up
Go back to questions ⇧
True or False Answers:
1. The trial will last for one month, from December to November 2024. (Answer: False)
2. Citizens from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia are not eligible for visa-free travel during the trial. (Answer: False)
3. Singapore and Brunei citizens cannot enter China without a visa for up to 15 days. (Answer: False)
4. The aim of the trial is to promote China’s high-quality development and opening up. (Answer: True)
5. Ordinary passport holders from these countries can visit China for business or travel purposes without a visa for up to 15 days. (Answer: True)
6. China is not conducting a trial of visa-free travel for citizens from six countries. (Answer: False)
7. China began issuing all types of visas again in March of this year after imposing strict travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Answer: True)
8. The trial of visa-free travel is a positive step towards reopening China’s borders and revitalizing its tourism industry. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧
