Bilateral ties between Jakarta and Beijing are expected to improve following China’s decision to include Indonesia in a list of countries eligible for a 240-hour visa-free transit policy, although any impact on tourism is expected to be minimal.
Under the scheme, which began on Thursday, Indonesian travellers with ordinary passports can enter China and stay for 10 days provided they have air tickets to a third country after leaving China. Without further travel plans, their entry will be considered illegal.
The visa-free transit allows Indonesian citizens to enter and exit China through any of 60 designated ports across 24 regions, including Beijing, Shanghai, and Hainan.
Important for businesses
The latest move by Beijing has been met with enthusiasm from travellers in Indonesia, who have for long lamented the country’s perceived weak passport despite being the world’s 16th largest economy last year, according to World Bank data.
