It’s visa-free entry for Chinese nationals

Vice President and Foreign Affairs Sec. Teofisto Guingona Jr. the other day paved the way for easing travel restriction between the People’s Republic of China and the Philippines.

At the grand reopening of the Fort Ilocandia Resort and Casino last Wednesday evening, the vice president launched the first visa-free entry of Chinese nationals through the country’s northernmost door in Laoag City.

Through this scheme any Chinese visitor may enter the country where a visa on arrival will be issued to him. Only a certification from the consul general in the visitor’s country of origin is required.

The launching was attended by Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon, Cong. Roque Ablan, Ilocos Norte Gov. Bongbong Marcos, Ambassador to China Josue Villa, Chinese Ambassador Wang Chung Gui and hundreds of guests from the mainland China and Taiwan.

The new policy of visa upon arrival was approved after long consultations with the Department of Tourism and the Bureau of Immigration. He attributed the relaxation of travel restriction between the two countries to Cong. Ablan who worked hard for its realization.

Because of this development, Laoag City became an overnight major tourist destination that might soon outstrip Boracay as the country’s prime tourist spot. There are now 23 regular flights from the mainland China, including Hongkong, Shanghai and Macao and Taiwan.

There are now direct flights from Manila, Hongkong, Guangzhou, Xiemen, Guilin, all in the mainland, and Kaohsiung and Taipei in Taiwan.

Guingona said that this would open more business opportunities to the people in the Ilocos region as well as technology transfer from China and Taiwan known for their first-class fruits and vegetables.

He said that from Laoag, Chinese visitors would trickle in to neighboring Ilocos provinces and farther to Tuguegarao and the Mountain provinces.

Ablan said that some P350 million was spent for the renovation of the Laoag International Airport in preparation for more tourist arrivals from China.