BEIJING, May 16 (Xinhua) -- "My 52-year-old mom has never traveled abroad, and China will probably be her first international destination," said Filipe Porto, a researcher of international relations at the Federal University of ABC in Brazil.

Starting June 1, 2025, China's visa-free policy will be extended to benefit nationals of Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru and Uruguay, with the trial period lasting until May 31, 2026, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said Thursday.

First proposed during the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC (the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum in Beijing this month, the policy is part of China's broader plan to facilitate friendly exchanges with and extend visa exemptions to more Latin American and Caribbean countries at an appropriate time.

Porto, who has lived in China for a year and a half and has studied China-Brazil relations for more than a decade, said he has always had a passion for sharing his experiences in China online, making it a consistent part of his social media presence.

"My friends always say they'd only come if I were with them, but they're too lazy to get a visa because the Brazilian passport already allows travel to many countries without needing one," he said. "Now, with this exemption, they'll snap up tickets and come visit me."

Travel to China from the other side of the Pacific has become easier thanks to growing air connectivity. In 2024, a direct flight was launched between Mexico City and south China's Shenzhen. Covering more than 14,000 kilometers, it is the longest direct international passenger route from China.

Other routes, such as Beijing-Madrid-Sao Paulo, Beijing-Madrid-Havana and Beijing-Tijuana-Mexico City, have also strengthened links between China and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) countries.

Porto said the newly announced visa waiver is a solid step toward that goal, noting that by easing mobility barriers, China is showing its commitment to deepening broader and more enduring ties with Brazil and Latin America.

People-to-people friendship is one of the priorities outlined in the China-CELAC joint action plan for cooperation in key areas (2025-2027), adopted at the China-CELAC Forum.

The plan also calls for enhanced cooperation and collaborative efforts in tourism to create and promote travel experiences between China and LAC countries.

China's visa policies have been continuously adjusted and optimized. Currently, the country grants unilateral visa-free entry to 38 countries and has extended the transit visa-free period to 240 hours for travelers from 54 countries. These measures have significantly boosted cross-border exchanges between China and countries worldwide.

In 2024, cross-border trips to China by foreigners surged by 82.9 percent from the previous year, reaching 64.88 million. Of these, more than 20 million inbound foreign trips were made visa-free, marking an impressive increase of 112.3 percent year on year, according to the National Immigration Administration.

This growing influx, driven by visa-free policies, has drawn international tourists eager to explore China's mix of ancient traditions and cutting-edge technology. Easier payment systems, bilingual signs, and other support measures have made travel more convenient, said Xu Hong, dean of the School of Tourism and Service at Nankai University.

Porto said many people are intrigued by China's tech-driven lifestyle, from digital payments and smart services to the ease of train travel around the country, and he looks forward to showing them how modern infrastructure shapes everyday life in Beijing.

"China is truly an amazing country that's worth experiencing up close," he said. ■