Philippines Opens 14-Day Visa-Free Entry for Chinese Visitors
Cambodia Announces Four-Month Visa-Free Pilot for Chinese Tourists
Indonesia’s Medan Chinese Visa Centre Closed on 16 January for Public Holiday
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Philippines Grants 14-Day Visa-Free Entry to Chinese Nationals Starting 16 January
Effective 16 January 2026, Chinese citizens can enter the Philippines visa-free for up to 14 days for tourism or business. The move is designed to jump-start Chinese visitor flows and facilitate short-term business travel but stays cannot be extended or converted to other visa types. Corporations gain flexibility, yet travellers must plan carefully to avoid penalties.
EU Regulator Test-Flies COMAC C919, Paving Path for Chinese Jet’s Entry Into European Skies
EASA’s 15 January flight tests of the COMAC C919 are a major step toward certifying the Chinese aircraft in Europe. Approval would let Chinese-built jets operate with European airlines, intensifying market competition and expanding China’s aerospace footprint. Multinationals should prepare for a future in which the C919 features on intra-European and China-Europe routes.
Juneyao Air Launches First Direct Shanghai–Tawau Service, Linking China to Malaysia’s Diving Hub
Shanghai-based Juneyao Air inaugurated China’s first direct flight to Tawau on 15 January, expanding access to Malaysia’s premier dive sites and cutting travel time for tourists and business passengers. The route leverages Malaysia’s new visa-free entry for Chinese citizens and could stimulate niche cargo flows and tourism investment in Sabah.
China’s Civil Aviation Logs Record 5.37 Million Flights in 2025, Signals New Phase of Normalised Growth
VariFlight data published 15 January show Chinese airlines operated a record 5.37 million flights in 2025, signalling that the sector has moved beyond pandemic volatility into stable growth. Higher frequencies enhance corporate travel flexibility and may temper fare inflation, but firms should review carrier agreements to capture new discounts.