earticle

영어

Amid the dual pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic and rising de-globalization trends, the international landscape has grown increasingly complex. As a core mechanism for regulating cross-border mobility, visa policy has assumed greater importance within national strategies for external openness. In recent years, under the framework of “High-Standard Opening-Up”, China has gradually advanced a series of institutional innovations, most notably the unilateral visa-free policy. This initiative reflects China’s strategic intent to reshape international engagement through institutional design in response to global uncertainty, while also strengthening regional economic connectivity and transnational interactions. This paper explores the institutional logic and developmental trajectory of China’s visa-free initiatives. It systematically reviews policy evolution, evaluates implementation outcomes, and analyzes international responses and practical feedback. Findings suggest that while current visa-free arrangements have achieved early success in expanding country coverage and optimizing institutional mechanisms, several challenges remain. These include uneven regional application, underdeveloped reciprocity mechanisms, and limited service infrastructure and international human resource capacity to accommodate foreign visitors. Looking ahead, China should continue to deepen institutional cooperation with the Global South, promote mutual visa recognition frameworks, and enhance the supporting ecosystem for cross-border mobility. Overall, the continued expansion of the visa-free policy not only contributes to shaping a more open and trustworthy nation brand but also offers valuable Chinese institutional experience in the evolving landscape of global governance.