South Korea to offer visa-fee entry to Chinese tourists from late September
The visa-free offer was first announced in March after China's decision last November to offer a visa exemption to South Koreans and foreign visitors from other countries.
It also comes amid expectations that ties between the two countries will improve under the new South Korean administration of liberal President Lee Jae Myung.
The decision to introduce the measure ahead of a Chinese holiday period in early October will help boost the domestic economy amid a recovery in foreign visits, the tourism ministry said, after a meeting to discuss measures to revitalise tourism ahead of the Asia-Pacific summit.
South Korea will host a summit of leaders from 21 economies for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum from October 31 to November 1 in the southeastern city of Gyeongju, a gathering where Chinese leader Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump might hold separate talks.
Shares of South Korean department stores, casinos, hotels and beauty product makers rallied on hopes of a boost from Chinese demand.
Hyundai Department Store (069960.KS), opens new tab shares jumped 7.1%, Hotel Shilla (008770.KS), opens new tab rose 4.8%, casino operator Paradise (034230.KS), opens new tab climbed 2.9% and Hankook Cosmetics (123690.KS), opens new tab surged 9.9%.
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Times
an hour ago
- Times
The sleek Tokyo hotel that's full of thoughtful touches
The Cesar Pelli-designed Nihonbashi Mitsui Tower could simply be another skyscraper in Tokyo's financial district, albeit a particularly sleek one. But secreted away in its top few floors is one of the city's best international luxury hotels — Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo. The property adds a Japanese twist to the Hong Kong-based brand's signature luxurious style, with a dramatic seasonal ikebana (flower arrangement) display in the centre of the lobby. The ikebana is just one way the brand's 'Woods and Water' concept is incorporated into the design. Others include shimmering blue stones embedded in the steps down to some of the gourmet restaurants, a large water feature by the bar and subtle botanical prints everywhere from the lifts to the bedroom textiles. Spacious rooms have a clean, modern Japanese vibe, while 11 excellent bars, cafés and restaurants provide an impressive amount of choice. Expect attentive and generous service from the moment you enter, down to thoughtful little touches like branded velcro ties used to tidy up your cables when you're out. This article contains affiliate links that will earn us revenue Score 9/10Rooms and suites have a contemporary Japanese aesthetic, blending clean lines and unfussy patterns with warm natural tones and materials. As the hotel is in Nihonbashi, once a key area for buying kimono, every room features a framed length of kimono silk with its own beautiful pattern. Each of those 179 rooms (including 22 suites) also includes a valet cupboard, bedside control panel and a chaise longue beside the wide, floor-to-ceiling windows, where you can recline and watch the city below. Even the smallest (Deluxe) rooms are an impressive 50 sq m, and some offer you a glimpse of Tokyo Skytree or even Mount Fuji on the horizon. To guarantee a Skytree view — and with binoculars provided, it can be quite a close-up one — upgrade to a Deluxe Premium Room. Expect luxurious bathrooms in every room type, with walk-in showers, separate bathtubs, Natura Bissé amenities and wood-and-marble vanity units with glossy black accents. Connecting rooms are available, as are children's extras such as bathrobes, toys and even a play tent. Rooms can be childproofed on request. Score 9/10With 11 restaurants, cafés and bars (plus the ground-floor Gourmet Shop), it's tempting to dine in for every meal here. You can order customisable breakfasts to your room or head down to K'shiki restaurant for the buffet, which includes fresh fruit and salad, egg dishes, ramen, a tempting daily-changing baked goods section and Fuji views on clear days. Several spots are open for lunch, including the international buffet restaurant Ventaglio on the second floor. Up on the 38th, the glitzy Oriental Lounge also serves a classic afternoon tea with savoury bites, scones and petits fours — try it with the signature citrussy Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo Blend tea. The Pizza Bar on 38th is ranked among the best pizza bars not just in the Asia-Pacific region but the world. The other dining options are equally notable. Sushi Shin by Miyakawa lives up to the Michelin-starred level of its original Hokkaido location; Sense serves fragrant, flavourful Cantonese dishes, and has the Tea Corner where you can appreciate a perfectly brewed cup with a Skytree view; and Signature features exquisite French cuisine with a contemporary edge (four, five or six-course menus and à la carte evening menus). The Mandarin Bar is a cosy, stylish spot — try the refreshing Mandarin Mojito, the tangy Nihonbashi cocktail, or a single malt whisky from an extensive list. There's live music every evening. • Discover our full guide to Japan• More great hotels in Tokyo Score 8/10The hotel's spa is on the 37th floor; the fitness centre on the 38th. Though there's no swimming pool, there is a heated hydrotherapy pool. There are four treatment rooms in the spa and an impressive array of facial and body treatments. Book ahead if possible — the invigorating Red Eye Recovery is ideal if this is your first stop after a long international flight. You're generally asked to cover tattoos in the wellness facilities, as some in Japan find them intimidating or distracting, For fitness, there's a large, well-equipped room with wall-to-wall windows that mean great city views. As well as personal training, you can book classes such as yoga, Pilates or circuits (all for additional fee). Tattoos are acceptable in the gym. You can also book a range of cultural activities in the area surrounding the hotel – try the Edo kiriko (saké glass engraving) or Ozu washi (Japanese paper) workshops to get a truly unique souvenir. Score 9/10The hotel is located in the historic financial district of Nihonbashi, within easy walking distance of the neighbourhood's fine-dining restaurants, cosy izakaya (Japanese-style pubs) and big-name department stores, and under 20 minutes from the vast Tokyo station on foot. The hotel has direct access to Shin-Nihonbashi subway station, on the JR Sobu line. Staff, especially the helpful concierge, are extremely knowledgeable about the area and can give you tips and assist you with bookings. They can also provide a small map of the jogging routes around the nearby Imperial Palace grounds, and a handy little card showing the hotel on a map and its address in Japanese — invaluable if you get lost. You can pick up a more detailed area map (showing Nihonbashi, Ningyocho, Tokyo station, Yurakucho and Ginza) from the concierge desk, plus lovely small illustrated guides to the area — a general one and a season-specific one. Flash your room key at the listed spots, and you may get a discount or perk. Price room-only doubles from £535Restaurant mains from £16Family-friendly YAccessible N Rebecca Hallett was a guest of Mandarin Oriental Tokyo ( • Best things to do in Tokyo• Tokyo v Osaka: which is better?
Reuters
2 hours ago
- Reuters
Beijing E-Town sues US firm Applied Materials alleging trade secrets leak
BEIJING, Aug 13 (Reuters) - Beijing E-Town Semiconductor Technologies ( opens new tab, a semiconductor equipment firm backed by Beijing's government, on Wednesday said it has sued U.S. chip equipment supplier Applied Materials (AMAT.O), opens new tab over alleged trade secrets infringement. Applied Materials had illegally obtained and used Beijing E-Town's core technology secrets related to plasma sources and wafer surface treatment, the Beijing-based company said according to a filing on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. The company, which is seeking 99.99 million yuan ($13.94 million) in compensation, alleged that Applied Materials had disclosed technical secrets by applying for a patent in China and claiming the patent's application rights. Applied Materials did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In 2016, Beijing E-Town acquired Mattson Technology, a California-based semiconductor wafer processing equipment designer and manufacturer. Applied Materials sued Mattson in 2022, alleging that it had hired its former employees with the intention of stealing trade secrets. In 2023, Mattson countersued Applied Materials making similar accusations. In the new case filed with the Beijing Intellectual Property Court, Beijing E-Town alleged that Applied Materials had hired two former Mattson employees, who were later listed as the principal inventors behind a patent filed by Applied Materials in China. The patent, filed with China's intellectual property administration, disclosed confidential technical know-how jointly held by Beijing E-Town and Mattson, Beijing E-Town said. Applied Materials' actions, the Beijing firm said, violated China's fair competition law and constituted infringement of its trade secrets. The Beijing court has accepted the civil case but no court hearing has yet been held, Beijing E-Town said. ($1 = 7.1746 Chinese yuan renminbi)
BBC News
2 hours ago
- BBC News
Malvern Hills grants of up to £5k aim to boost visitor numbers
Tourism businesses are being encouraged to apply for money to help boost visitors to the Malvern of up to £5,000 are being offered to improve local tourism, build visitor numbers and improve their experience, Malvern Hills District Council government-funded Malvern Hills Tourism Grant Scheme can be used in several ways including helping firms to be more eco-friendly and contribute to the upkeep of deadline for applications is 31 December and all projects must be completed by March 2026. Malvern Museum, on Abbey Road, Great Malvern, received a full grant to help refurbish its ground floor, as well as carry out electrical work, redecoration, and joinery to improve the look of the curator Faith Renger said visitor numbers were good this year with shop sales had doubled since last year, and much of this was because of the "stylish and welcoming refurbishment".Councillor Beverley Nielsen said the scheme was "a great opportunity" for applicants. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
