Opinion | Smiling, friendly China a perfect antidote to Trump’s angry America

Following the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, China experienced a sharp drop in the number of international visitors and many foreign residents left the country. International tourism was still below pre-pandemic levels as late as 2024.

When tourists did not return in large numbers after it reopened its borders in 2023, China began to take measures to reverse the trend and bring foreigners back, rolling out a unilateral 30-day visa-free entry scheme, which now encompasses 47 countries, including European nations such as France, Germany and Italy. The scheme did not include the United States or Britain, though Beijing did move to make visa applications by citizens of those countries simpler with streamlined entry requirements and new online systems.

It would not be an overstatement to describe post-pandemic China as experiencing a new “opening up”. In April, I decided to take advantage of this phenomenon and travel to China, where I had taught between 2017 and 2020 before leaving largely because of the pandemic restrictions.

I started my application the day after visa processes for British nationals were made easier by a new online system. The new process was much quicker and simpler than my past experiences of applying for a visa to travel to China or to the European Union after Brexit. I applied, was approved and landed in China within a month.

When I arrived at Shanghai’s Pudong airport, I was not detained and did not have my devices checked. Instead, I entered with minimal questioning. This did not surprise me – what did take me aback was the change in the vibe upon arriving in China.