According to news released by the Qingdao municipal government, starting from Nov. 16, Qingdao International Airport officially began to implement the policy of "72 hours transit without visa" (TWOV) for foreigners from 51 countries. Tourists from 51 countries with valid travel IDs and tickets for an onward flight to a third country or region can now stay in Shandong province for 72 hours without a Chinese visa.

Foreign nationals who enter and exit China through Qingdao International Airport are eligible for the new TWOV policy, though their range of activities is restricted to within Shandong province. The 72 hour period will be counted from midnight of the day after they enter China. For example, if a visitor lands in Qingdao at 4 p.m. on a Tuesday, the 72 hours begin at midnight - 12:00 a.m. Wednesday.

Countries covered by the policy:

European countries within the Schengen Agreement: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.

Other countries in Europe that also enjoy the policy: Russia, the UK, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republic of Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania.

The Americas: the US, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile.

Oceania: Australia, New Zealand.

Asian countries: South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar.