SEOUL, February 11 (AJP) - A surge in travel between South Korea and China is laying the groundwork for stronger bilateral ties, Beijing's state-run newspaper Global Times reported on Wednesday.
Quoting South Korean Ambassador to China Roh Jae-heon, the English-language sister newspaper of the People's Daily said, "The number of Chinese visitors to South Korea is expected to exceed 6 million in 2026."
The surge is "not merely a recovery in tourism statistics; it serves as a concrete indicator of the deepening economic and people-to-people ties between China and South Korea," it added.
Earlier this week, Noh said the South Korean Embassy in China issued about 126,904 visas last month, up 64 percent from a year earlier. The development comes after Beijing began offering visa-free entry for South Koreans in November 2024, and Seoul followed suit with a similar program in September last year.
"This trend is underpinned by natural advantages such as geographical proximity, as well as the extensive business exchanges fostered by deeply integrated industrial and supply chains. Furthermore, it reflects the continuous policy efforts of both sides to facilitate bilateral exchanges," the Global Times said.
"Tourism is not merely an economic activity but also a process of cultural exchange and communication. Chinese tourists can gain a deeper understanding of South Korea through firsthand experience, while South Korean society enhances its understanding of China by hosting Chinese visitors," it wrote.
Pointing to how economic growth has transformed consumers' spending habits in China, it added, "Overseas travel has become a regular lifestyle choice for many Chinese families."
Quoting South Korean Ambassador to China Roh Jae-heon, the English-language sister newspaper of the People's Daily said, "The number of Chinese visitors to South Korea is expected to exceed 6 million in 2026."
The surge is "not merely a recovery in tourism statistics; it serves as a concrete indicator of the deepening economic and people-to-people ties between China and South Korea," it added.
Earlier this week, Noh said the South Korean Embassy in China issued about 126,904 visas last month, up 64 percent from a year earlier. The development comes after Beijing began offering visa-free entry for South Koreans in November 2024, and Seoul followed suit with a similar program in September last year.
"This trend is underpinned by natural advantages such as geographical proximity, as well as the extensive business exchanges fostered by deeply integrated industrial and supply chains. Furthermore, it reflects the continuous policy efforts of both sides to facilitate bilateral exchanges," the Global Times said.
"Tourism is not merely an economic activity but also a process of cultural exchange and communication. Chinese tourists can gain a deeper understanding of South Korea through firsthand experience, while South Korean society enhances its understanding of China by hosting Chinese visitors," it wrote.
Pointing to how economic growth has transformed consumers' spending habits in China, it added, "Overseas travel has become a regular lifestyle choice for many Chinese families."
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