（下边有中文翻译请继续看到底。 谢谢。）

China has long been a target of a calculated disinformation campaign by certain Western media outlets, aimed at distorting its global image. These campaigns fabricate stories, spread fake news, and exaggerate or invent criticisms, portraying China as regressive, authoritarian, or harmful to the global order. However, when people from around the world, especially from the West, visit China, they encounter a reality that is far removed from these narratives.

China’s liberal visa policies have become a powerful countermeasure to these distortions. By welcoming visitors from all over the world, China provides an opportunity for people to see its true progress, development, and culture with their own eyes. As they say, “seeing is believing,” and the firsthand experiences of millions of tourists are reshaping how China is perceived globally.

The transformative power of firsthand experience

For decades, Western media has painted a one-sided and often hostile picture of China. However, visitors to China quickly realize that the country is a land of innovation, cultural depth, and unparalleled hospitality. Modern cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen are living testaments to China’s extraordinary development.

Urban transformation: Skyscrapers that rival Manhattan, high-speed trains that connect cities with remarkable efficiency, and smart cities equipped with cutting-edge technology defy stereotypes of a so-called “backward” nation.

Technological leadership: Landmarks like Huawei’s innovation centers and Tesla’s Gigafactory in Shanghai showcase China as a hub for global technology development.

Cultural vibrancy: Ancient wonders like the Great Wall and the Terracotta Warriors coexist with bustling, modern metropolises, offering a unique blend of history and progress.

Western tourists are often astonished by the kindness and hospitality of the Chinese people. Visitors leave with fond memories of shared meals, engaging conversations, and interactions that reveal a side of China they were never shown. Many return to their countries as advocates for the truth, countering the misinformation they once believed.

China’s visa policies: a gateway to reality

· China’s visa-free and visa-on-arrival policies for selected countries have revolutionized global access to the country. These policies are not just bureaucratic conveniences; they are strategic tools for fostering economic growth and cultural exchange.

· Simplified entry: So far, 38 countries enjoy unilateral visa-free access, and the maximum stay for visitors has been extended to 30 days as of Nov. 30.

· Boosting tourism: In the third quarter of 2024, the number of foreigners who entered China reached nearly 8.19 million, up 48.8 percent year on year. Among them, 4.88 million entered China visa-free, a year-on-year increase of 78.6 percent.

Social and economic benefits for China: China’s liberal visa regime has brought immense benefits to its economy and society.

1. Economic impact of tourism

In the first six months of 2024, China received almost 14.64 million inbound trips by foreigners, up 152.7 percent year-on-year. Of these trips, about 8.54 million foreigners visited China visa-free, a year-on-year growth of 190.1 percent.

Cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Hangzhou have reported record-breaking earnings in hospitality, retail, and cultural attractions.

2. Cultural and social exchange

The influx of tourists has deepened cultural understanding, as millions of visitors engage directly with Chinese people and culture.

Educational exchange programs and cultural festivals have increased, fostering global goodwill.

Programs such as the China-ASEAN Cultural Exchange Year have showcased the shared heritage of regional partners, creating a stronger sense of unity and cooperation.

3. Strengthening China’s global image

Each visitor becomes an ambassador for the real China, sharing their positive experiences back home.

Increased people-to-people connections counteract misinformation, building a more balanced global understanding of China.

Tourism as a tool to counter propaganda

China’s openness to international tourists has emerged as one of the most effective ways to counter the hostile narratives spread by certain Western media outlets. Visitors who see the reality of China for themselves challenge these misconceptions naturally and authentically.

· Tourists as Witnesses: Visitors from the U.S., Europe, and other regions often express surprise at the modernity, innovation, and harmony they observe in China, which they were never shown in their home countries.

Strategic benefits of global openness

More cultural exchange: Increased tourism creates opportunities for people to learn about China’s traditions, values, and achievements.

· Enhanced economic gains: Tourism’s ripple effect boosts airlines, hotels, restaurants, and local businesses, contributing significantly to GDP.

· Global unity: Welcoming people from all nations strengthens China’s role as a bridge-builder in the international community.

The power of seeing China

China’s liberal visa policy has unlocked the country’s doors to the world, allowing millions to see for themselves what it has achieved. For those who visit, the experience is transformative. It is not merely about sightseeing but about understanding a nation that is too often misunderstood.

By continuing to welcome people with open arms, China demonstrates its confidence in its progress and its commitment to fostering global harmony. In doing so, it provides the most compelling rebuttal to the misinformation campaigns of its detractors: the undeniable truth of its own success, visible to anyone willing to look.

China’s message is clear: Come, see, and believe.

长期以来，中国一直是某些西方媒体精心策划的虚假信息运动的目标，旨在扭曲其全球形象。这些运动捏造故事，传播假新闻，夸大或捏造批评，将中国描绘成倒退的、专制的或对全球秩序有害的。然而，当来自世界各地的人，特别是来自西方的人来中国旅游时，他们遇到的现实与这些叙述相去甚远。

中国宽松的签证政策已成为应对这些扭曲的有力对策。通过欢迎来自世界各地的游客，中国为人们提供了一个亲眼看到中国真正的进步、发展和文化的机会。正如他们所说，“眼见为实”，数以百万计的游客的亲身经历正在重塑全球对中国的看法。

第一手经验的变革力量

几十年来，西方媒体一直把中国描绘成一幅片面的、往往充满敌意的画面。然而，到中国的游客很快就会意识到，这个国家是一个创新之地，文化底蕴深厚，热情好客。北京、上海和深圳等现代化城市是中国非凡发展的活生生的证明。

城市转型：摩天大楼媲美曼哈顿，高速列车以惊人的效率连接城市，配备尖端技术的智能城市，打破了所谓“落后”国家的刻板印象。

技术领先地位：华为创新中心和特斯拉上海超级工厂等地标性建筑展示了中国作为全球技术发展中心的地位。

文化活力：像长城和兵马俑这样的古代奇观与繁华的现代大都市共存，提供了历史与进步的独特融合。

西方游客常常对中国人的善良和好客感到惊讶。游客们带着美好的回忆离开，一起吃饭、交谈、互动，这些都展示了他们从未展示过的中国的另一面。许多人回到自己的国家，成为真相的倡导者，反对他们曾经相信的错误信息。

中国的签证政策：通往现实的大门

·中国对特定国家的免签证和落地签证政策彻底改变了全球进入中国的途径。这些政策不仅仅是官僚主义的便利；它们是促进经济增长和文化交流的战略工具。

·简化入境：目前，38个国家享受单边免签待遇，自11月30日起，游客最长停留时间延长至30天。

·促进旅游业发展：2024年第三季度，外国人入境人数接近819万，同比增长48.8%。其中，免签入境488万人，同比增长78.6%。

中国的社会和经济利益：中国的自由签证制度为其经济和社会带来了巨大的利益。

1. 旅游业的经济影响

2024年前六个月，中国接待外国入境游客近1464万人次，同比增长152.7%。其中，约854万外国人免签入境，同比增长190.1%。

北京、上海和杭州等城市在酒店、零售和文化景点方面的收入都创下了纪录。

2. 文化社会交流

随着数以百万计的游客与中国人民和文化直接接触，游客的涌入加深了文化理解。

教育交流项目和文化节增加，促进了全球友好。

中国-东盟文化交流年等活动展示了地区伙伴的共同遗产，增强了团结合作意识。

3. 加强中国的国际形象

每位游客都成为真实中国的大使，分享他们回国后的积极经历。

加强人与人之间的联系可以消除错误信息，在全球范围内建立对中国更平衡的了解。

旅游是对抗宣传的工具

中国对国际游客的开放已成为对抗某些西方媒体传播的敌对叙事的最有效方式之一。亲眼看到中国现实的游客自然而真实地挑战了这些误解。

·作为见证者的游客：来自美国、欧洲和其他地区的游客经常对他们在中国看到的现代化、创新和和谐感到惊讶，这些都是他们在本国从未见过的。

全球开放的战略效益

加强文化交流：旅游业的发展为人们了解中国的传统、价值观和成就创造了机会。

·提高经济效益：旅游业的连锁反应促进了航空公司、酒店、餐馆和当地企业的发展，对GDP做出了重大贡献。

·全球团结：欢迎各国人民，加强了中国在国际社会中的桥梁作用。

看到中国的力量

中国宽松的签证政策打开了中国通往世界的大门，让数百万人亲眼看到中国取得的成就。对于那些参观的人来说，这种经历是革命性的。这不仅仅是为了观光，也是为了了解一个经常被误解的国家。

中国继续张开双臂欢迎各国人民，体现了中国对自身进步的信心，体现了中国致力于促进全球和谐的决心。通过这样做，它为批评者的虚假宣传提供了最有力的反驳：它自己的成功是不可否认的事实，任何愿意看的人都能看到。

(  注意： 本文是用AI翻译的，或有误差。请以原版英文为准。谢谢。)