Latest news with #ChineseIndonesian
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
China adds Indonesia to 240-hour visa-free transit programme, expands list to 55 countries
BEIJING/JAKARTA: China has added Indonesia to its 240-hour visa-free transit programme, bringing the total number of eligible countries to 55, immigration authorities announced on Thursday (June 12). Effective Thursday, Indonesian travellers who meet the stipulated criteria can enter through any of 60 ports across 24 provincial-level regions and stay in China for up to 240 hours, or 10 days, without a visa before heading to a third destination, according to the National Immigration Administration (NIA). During the visa-free transit period, travellers are permitted to engage in tourism, business, exchange visits and family visits. However, the policy does not cover employment, study or journalistic activities, which still require appropriate visas, the NIA said. The expansion came as part of China's efforts to deepen exchanges and cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean). It is expected to boost bilateral cooperation, improve trade and investment efficiency, and foster cultural exchange and mutual understanding between China and Indonesia, said NIA officials. Travel made easier Indonesian Ambassador to China Djauhari Oratmangun has welcomed the development, saying the policy will strengthen people-to-people connections, particularly in the tourism sector. Anggi Oktari, a postgraduate student at Padjadjaran University in West Java, said the policy helps save on flight costs and allows her to enjoy China's beauty without the hassle of applying for a visa. "I plan to travel to Central Asian countries like Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. With this new policy, flying with a transit in China becomes a very appealing option," she said. Dwidayatour, a travel agency in Jakarta, organises around 10 tour groups to China each month, with about 20 people per group. Elsa Febriani, one of its travel consultants, said that in the past, many passengers couldn't even leave the airport due to visa restrictions. "With this new policy, we can offer more leisure travel products and increase our sales," she said. Sudarmanto, a document staff member at Gorumi Travel, another local agency, said the visa-free policy could encourage more Indonesians to visit Chinese cities. "Personally, I'd love to use this opportunity to visit Harbin and Chongqing. I've heard Chongqing has amazing hotpot, which suits Indonesian tastes since we love spicy food," he said. Fang Ruixing, a Chinese Indonesian in his 40s whose ancestral hometown is in Fujian, plans to take his two children to Shanghai Disney Resort. He welcomed the visa-free transit policy but suggested that the 10-day stay could be extended further. "The longer, the better," he said. "China is such a large country that it doesn't make much sense to just transit through." "I really hope China and Indonesia can eventually agree on a two-week mutual visa exemption. That would make it easier for overseas Chinese like me to take our children back to explore their cultural roots." Previously, travellers from Asean countries could enter parts of China visa-free under a regional exemption scheme. That programme allows group tourists to stay for up to six days in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province and Guilin, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Earlier this month, China introduced a five-year, multiple-entry visa policy for businesspeople from Asean member states and observer country Timor-Leste. The so-called "Asean visa" extends eligibility to spouses and children of applicants -- allowing stays of up to 180 days per visit. Expanded border access Veronika Saraswati, director of the Indonesia-China Partnership Studies Institute, said that the new policy is in line with China's efforts to promote inclusive globalisation and joint development. "It will ultimately bring benefits for regional and global peace and prosperity." China has adjusted its visa rules to boost cross-border mobility and exchanges following the Covid-19 pandemic. In December 2024, authorities expanded the visa-free transit window from previous limits of 72 or 144 hours to 240 hours and increased the number of eligible ports by 21. The coverage now includes regions rich in tourism resources and in cultural and ethnic heritage, such as north China's Shanxi Province, known as a filming location for "Black Myth: Wukong," east China's Jiangxi Province, famous for its porcelain heritage, and Guizhou Province in southwest China, home to multiple world natural heritage sites. Additionally, travellers under the visa-free transit programme can now travel between multiple destinations within designated regions. In provinces such as Anhui in the east, Hainan in the south, and Guizhou in the southwest, the entire provincial area is now accessible under a single itinerary. China has also expanded its unilateral visa-free access programme, allowing travellers from 47 countries to stay for up to 30 days. Recent additions include countries in Latin America and the Gulf region, such as Brazil and Saudi Arabia. These sweeping policy changes have facilitated travel to China, fueling a surge in online content and interest around "China Travel," particularly on platforms like YouTube. In 2024, international travellers made 64.88 million cross-border trips to China, up 82.9 per cent year on year. More than 20 million of these were visa-free entries, marking a 112.3 per cent increase from the previous year, the NIA revealed. Notably, during the recent three-day Dragon Boat Festival holiday, 231,000 foreigners entered China without a visa -- an increase of 59.4 per cent compared to a year earlier. - Xinhua
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Branding Latin America Expresses Concerns on Foreign Arbitration Tactics Threatening Latin American Sovereignty
LONDON, GB / / February 20, 2025 / Branding Latin America (BLA), a leading consultancy specializing in Latin American affairs, is warning about an alarming trend: international arbitration is increasingly being used as a tool to pressure Latin American businesses and governments, prioritizing foreign corporate interests over national sovereignty. Arbitration: A Legal Tool Turned Pressure Mechanism Originally designed as a neutral way to resolve disputes, international arbitration is now being exploited by powerful corporations to force compliance with external demands. In 2023, Latin America and the Caribbean saw 28 investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) claims-more than most regions worldwide-with over half of the rulings favoring investors. BLA's founder, Rodolfo Milesi, cautions against this growing legal strategy, which has the potential to reshape economic and regulatory landscapes across the region. "What we are witnessing is deeply concerning. Arbitration is being weaponized to challenge national regulations, bypass local laws, and pressure governments into making decisions that benefit foreign entities rather than their own people. This is a direct threat to sovereignty," says Milesi. Foreign Investors Push to Secure Latin America's Key Resources Latin America is home to some of the world's most valuable mineral resources-lithium, copper, and gold-making it a key player in the global energy transition. However, as governments implement regulations to protect these resources and uphold environmental and indigenous rights, international investors are increasingly turning to arbitration to fight back. By invoking investment treaties, corporations are attempting to sidestep national laws designed to regulate mineral exploitation, undermining local control and economic stability. This raises critical concerns about the fairness and transparency of arbitration processes that overwhelmingly favor powerful foreign investors. Major Arbitration Cases Spark Global Concern A growing number of cases demonstrate how investors, when faced with legal obstacles, do not hesitate to manipulate arbitrations to force favorable outcomes. One troubling example of this strategy is the Eldorado Brazil case. The Chinese Indonesian company Paper Excellence, which disputes control of the Brazilian pulp company, has filed multiple arbitration claims in Brazil and is now trying to transfer the seat of arbitrations abroad -ignoring that Sao Paulo is the only seat defined in the contract" affirms Rodolfo Milesi, founder of Branding Latin America. This move happened after several Brazilian judges and authorities blocked the transfer of Eldorado's shares because Paper Excellence apparently did not comply with the Brazilian Land Ownership and Leasing legislation. In these claims, Paper Excellence is seeking billions in compensation, alleging that Brazilian courts have obstructed the takeover. Another trivia case is the case of Rio Blanco Mine Dispute: In Ecuador, Chinese mining company Junefield launched an arbitration case after the suspension of its mining operations, arguing that Ecuador's own constitution obstructed its business. This case underscores how corporations are using arbitration to challenge national policies aimed at protecting communities and the environment. Urgent Need for Regional Action Branding Latin America is calling for immediate, coordinated action to address this growing challenge. Governments and businesses in the region must strengthen legal protections and push for reforms that prevent arbitration from becoming a tool of economic coercion. "Latin America must stand together against these legal tactics," urges Milesi. "If governments and businesses fail to act, external actors will continue using arbitration to undermine national regulations and gain control over key industries." BLA emphasizes that diplomatic efforts and regional legal frameworks are critical to ensuring arbitration does not become a backdoor for foreign influence. The consultancy urges policymakers to establish safeguards that prevent corporations from using arbitration forums to override national laws and judicial decisions. A Wake-Up Call for Latin America This issue is not just about individual cases-it represents a broader challenge to the sovereignty and economic future of Latin America. Branding Latin America's warning serves as a call to action for governments, legal experts, and industry leaders to take proactive steps in defending the region's interests against unfair arbitration practices. For more information visit Rodolfo MilesiBranding Latin AmericaEmail:rmilesi@ +44 7919 020 847Website: SOURCE: Brand Latin America View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Sign in to access your portfolio
