Facebook and Twitter: Re-opening in China?

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Since 2009, a group of social networking websites like Facebook and Twitter have been blocked in China. Later, popular apps like Instagram and Snapchat were also banned. 

However, there has been recent news claiming that China is going to open up the firewall for foreign tourists in Hainan. If true, tourists will be able visit these websites without restriction. 

Recently, the Hainan Provincial Government has released an official document about a 3-year action plan. The plan is to improve Hainan province to boost the number of tourists by 25% every year.

In the 3-year action plan, it says that the internet firewall restrictions on websites like Facebook, Twitter and etc. will be lifted on areas that foreign tourists gather. The government also wishes to broadcast on social media and places like BBC and CNN, for more people around the world to know about this place.  

Some people doubt that the "Great Firewall" would give Hainan the first exception. Similar news had been released when Shanghai started the trading zone, but the news turned out just to be rumors. Nevertheless, whether Hainan becomes the first exception or not, the 3-year action plan will improve the city and prepare itself for more foreign tourists to come travel. 

Hainan is an island in the South of China. It has been one of the most popular site for tourism. Hainan, in the 3-year action plan, is expected to be the most popular tourist hub. The government wants to establish a new free trade zone in Hainan, also hoping it to be the next best international tourist attraction. The free trade zone would be controlled by the government directly, but also benefit from the newest and best policies available. 

In order to attract more people, Hainan is also experimenting “visa-on-arrival” with 59 countries right now. Individuals are allowed to stay for 30 days. It used to be that foreign tourists need to travel in groups in order to enter. On the first day of the Labor day holiday, Hainan province received nearly 1000 foreign tourists from the 59 countries.

The official document below have detailed the  countries that can enter with visa-on-arrival.

Here is the translated list of all 59 countries:

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

Other European Countries: Russia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia (FYROM), Albania, Belarus, Monaco.

American Countries: United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile.

Oceania Countries: Australia, New Zealand.

Asian Countries: Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Kazakhstan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar.

Since Hainan will be the next place to go on vacation, the government plans to increase the number of international flights to 100 within 3 years. International flights will also receive extra allowances.

What kind of employees are needed?

To improve the tourism environment, Hainan province plans to hire more English speaking employees with international backgrounds, from places like Philippine, Laos, Cambodia, Nepal, and Vietnam. 

New attractions coming through

In the next three years, there will be more than 10 entertainment facilities constructed, specifically for foreign tourists. These include a clubbing zone, performance areas and ‘Folkway Street’.

With the improvement plans, the provincial government is certainly expecting more tourists, expats and immigrants. Hainan will not only be a place for local people, but an international city that is livable for foreign friends as well.

What do you think of the improvement plan? Would you want to travel or work in Hainan? Feel free share your travel experiences in China with us. 

What is your opinion? Let us know! Comment below.

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