China's Commerce Ministry and Eight Agencies Unveil 16 Measures to Boost Inbound Spending

Overview

On 19 March 2026 China's Ministry of Commerce, together with eight other bodies including the Cyberspace Administration of China, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the National Health Commission, the National Radio and Television Administration, the General Administration of Sport and the National Immigration Administration, issued Policy Measures to Promote Travel Service Exports and Expand Inbound Consumption (Shang Fu Mao Fa [2026] No. 39). The document is dated 16 March and was posted on the ministry's website on 20 March.

The 16 measures fall into seven areas: inbound tourism, business travel, sports events, entertainment, health, education and training, and supporting arrangements. The document treats spending by foreign visitors in China as a "service export" and aims to link trade in services with domestic service consumption.

Background

China has been simplifying entry procedures for foreign nationals in recent years. Short-stay visa-free entry for Japanese nationals resumed on 30 November 2024, and in December of that year the permitted stay under transit visa-free arrangements was extended to 240 hours. Mobile payment with foreign cards and departure tax refunds have also been improved.

Shenzhen, which borders Hong Kong, is a major port-of-entry city and hosts large international events such as the China Hi-Tech Fair and the China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair. The national measures are therefore relevant to business and tourist travel in cities like Shenzhen.

Key Points

Area	Main content
Inbound tourism	A "Hello, China" brand, a one-stop information platform for foreign visitors, multi-city travel products, better multilingual services and easier booking at attractions
Business travel	Visa facilitation for foreign buyers attending national-level exhibitions, nearby visa extension services and "overseas client service desks" at shows
Sports and entertainment	Dedicated port lanes during major events, "event plus tourism" packages, support for international music and film festivals, and longer night-time performance hours
Health	International medical tourism clusters, pilots for wholly foreign-owned hospitals and wider direct settlement of international commercial insurance
Education and training	A stronger "Study in China" brand, international growth of Chinese-language education and "Chinese plus skills" training
Supporting measures	Gradual expansion of unilateral visa-free entry, pilots for online electronic visa applications, online filing of arrival cards, more tax-refund stores and goods, and more multilingual signage

In healthcare, the measures draw on the Hainan Boao Lecheng international medical tourism pilot zone, where clinically urgent drugs (excluding vaccines) and medical devices not yet approved in China may be used in local hospitals, and launch a pilot combining traditional Chinese medicine consumption with trade in services. In education, they call for clearer rules allowing international students to work in China after graduation and promote vocational programmes such as "Chinese plus tourism" and "Chinese plus cross-border e-commerce".

The measures also encourage domestic navigation, ride-hailing, food delivery and shopping apps to offer multilingual versions, and provide for credit guarantees and interest subsidies for small businesses serving inbound visitors. The document sets no numerical targets, budgets or deadlines; specific steps are left to local implementation documents.

Implications for Japan-Shenzhen Exchange

Visa facilitation for exhibition visitors, the introduction of electronic visas and better payment and multilingual services may reduce procedural burdens for Japanese business people visiting trade fairs and companies in Shenzhen. If Chinese apps become more widely available in other languages, short-term business travellers may also find it easier to get around and shop, and this is drawing attention.

Medical tourism, direct insurance settlement and a better environment for international students also concern long-term Japanese residents and students. For Japanese companies in tourism, content and event management, the measures may serve as a reference for understanding trends in China's inbound market.

Outlook

The measures mainly set out directions. Details such as which countries will be added to visa-free entry and when electronic visas will be introduced await further announcements by the relevant authorities. How local governments, including Shenzhen, implement the measures will be the next point to watch.

From the Association

The Association will continue to follow policy developments affecting travel between Japan and Shenzhen, and will keep working to create opportunities for exchange in business, tourism, education and other fields.