An agreement on mutual visa exemption between China and Qatar will take effect from Friday, according to an announcement made by the foreign ministers of the two countries. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Qatar.

Last Saturday, a visa exemption agreement between China and Niger came into effect.

A China-Botswana agreement on visa-free travel will also come into effect starting on Saturday, and it will be followed the next day with the start of the China-Rwanda visa-free travel agreement.

According to the latest data released by China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China's ordinary passport holders can travel to more than 70 countries thanks to mutual visa exemptions, visa-free destinations, and visa-on-arrival arrangements. This includes 13 countries where no visa is required thanks to bilateral visa-free travel agreements, including the United Arab Emirates, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Sao Tome and Principe.

Middle East -- United Arab Emirates and Bahrain

The newly listed United Arab Emirates, which no longer required visas for Chinese from January 16 this year, is a headline-grabbing destination that offers an intriguing blend of traditional Islamic culture and shopping heaven.

The UAE will exempt Chinese nationals carrying ordinary passports from obtaining pre-entry visas, with the possibility of staying for up to 30 days on each visit.

Bahrain is another Middle East country appearing on the list. It is an island country located in the Persian Gulf with mild climate and is also hailed as "Hong Kong in the Middle East."

Since July 9th, Chinese citizens who hold diplomatic passport and official passport can stay in Bahrain for up to 90 days without a visa. Unfortunately, this is not extended to those holding the ordinary Chinese passport. For ordinary Chinese passport holders, they can enter Bahrain through a Visa-on-arrival policy.

Europe-- Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Ordinary Chinese citizens have been allowed to entry Belarus without visa since August 10th for up to 30 days, and less than 90 days each year.

As a close neighbor to China, Belarus is worth seeing for its renowned Lake Baikal, which attracts many Chinese tourists.

Bosnia and Herzegovina concluded the agreement on mutual visa exemption with China on May 29th, becoming the second European country to waive visas for Chinese citizens.

Bosnia and Herzegovina still bears the legacy of war, but urban centers of the country such as Sarajevo have rich history and lively nightlife. Sarajevo is becoming one of Europe's most curious and unique capitals. The country has long been a place integrated with diversified cultures and customs.

Africa-- Gambia, Sao Tome and Principe

Although the Gambia may be mainland Africa's smallest nation, it punches way above its weight in terms of attractions.

Sao Tome and Principe is an island country in the Gulf of Guinea. The little-known islands provide unspoiled beauty and isolation from the world, in a way that's now rarely found anywhere else.

Chinese tourism has witnessed significant expansion in recent years, and overseas countries have long been preferred destinations. Chinese passports have been regarded as more valuable ones for being granted with more and more favorable policies.