This is China's latest move to revive the tourism industry and boost the world's second-largest economy after a recession caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tourists visit the Bund waterfront area in Shanghai on July 5, 2023. File photo: AFP
The embassy announced that those applying for tourist visas in the US will no longer need to submit airline tickets, hotel reservations or invitation letters.
China had earlier cleared the way for passport holders from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia to visit the country without visas from December 1.
The visa exemption will last for 12 months, during which tourists from the six countries will be able to visit China for up to 15 days. China also expanded its visa-free transit policy to 54 countries in November.
The number of domestic tourists to China has dropped sharply during the pandemic due to the country's strict COVID-19 control policies.
International flights to China have increased since Beijing lifted COVID-19 restrictions a year ago, but are still only 60% of 2019 levels.
Mai Anh (according to AFP, CNA)
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