Norwegians will still need visas in China

Shanghai, China.Photo: Marianne Løvland / NTB scanpix

Norway is one of two Schengen countries that are excluded from China’s extended arrangement on visa-free entry into the country.

Starting January 30 this year China has allowed visa-free entry to parts of the country, writes ABC News. Residents of 51 countries can now travel visa-free for six days in Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang east of the country. On the list are almost all the Schengen countries, except Norway and Liechtenstein.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has still not received an explanation for why Norway was excluded from the scheme.
– We have not been formally notified of the grounds for this omission from the Chinese side, and do not wish to speculate on the Chinese motives for this,  press spokesman of the Foreign Ministry, Kristin Enstad, says in an email to the website.
13 European countries in addition to the Schengen members are  included in the new visa rules.
In 2013 the Chinese authorities  allowed for tourists to travel visa-free for three days to Beijing and Shanghai, and then to 14 cities and selected airports. Norway was not included in this scheme either.
The Chinese embassy has not responded to requests for comment by ABC news .

 

Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today