South Korea has started a pilot programme allowing visa-free entry for Chinese tourist groups to boost its economy and strengthen ties with China.

Groups of three or more from mainland China can stay for 15 days without a visa until next June. The move comes ahead of China’s National Day holidays from 1st to 8th October and overlaps with South Korean holidays.

South Korean businesses are preparing for a surge in visitors. Shilla Duty Free has arranged a Chinese cruise tour. Additionally, food delivery app Baedal Minjok is adding Alipay and WeChat Pay options.

The plan, announced in March, follows China’s November decision to give South Koreans 30-day visa exemptions. South Korea last offered similar visa-free entry from December 2017 to March 2018 during the PyeongChang Winter Olympics.

President Lee Jae Myung’s government aims to strengthen further relations. Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to visit South Korea for an Asia-Pacific summit in late October.

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