In addition to Friday’s update, the East Asian country has extended visa-free entry to around 11 countries over one year.

China allowed visa-free entry for citizens of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia in December.

According to Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Irish and Swiss nationals would now be allowed to enter China without a visa. He said this during his visit to Europe to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos.

The aim is “to facilitate the high-quality development of Chinese and foreign personnel exchanges and high-level opening up to the outside world,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a briefing on the initial announcement made in November.

Visa-free entry would be granted for up to 15 days in the trial programme, which would be in effect for one year.