China welcomed high‑profile visitors this month, including former US president Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin, sparking renewed interest from global travelers. Visa‑free access for 50 countries has lifted foreign arrivals to 21 million between January and March, a 22 % jump year‑on‑year.

The influx fuels Beijing’s soft‑power strategy and lifts consumption in a sector hit by weak domestic demand. Hotels and restaurants now report that international guests—especially Russians and Koreans—constitute the majority of bookings, easing deflationary pressure.

While Chinese airlines offer cheaper flights to Europe via Russian airspace, service quality remains uneven, and some tourists from “high‑risk” nations face police checks. Still, the growing flow of visitors signals a tangible shift in China’s global image and a new revenue stream for its tourism industry.