Amid Trump's tariff war, China issues over 85,000 visas to 'Indian friends'

(News Agency)- The Chinese Embassy in India has issued more than 85,000 visas to Indian citizens between January 1 and April 9, 2025, highlighting a major effort to enhance people-to-people connections between the two countries.Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong invited more Indians to visit China and experience its "open, safe, and friendly environment"."As of April 9, 2025, the Chinese Embassy and Consulates in India have issued more than 85,000 visas to Indian citizens traveling to China this year. Welcome more Indian friends to visit China, experience an open, safe, vibrant, sincere and friendly China," Xu said in a post on X.Visa numbers are showing a marked increase, with 85,000 issued in just the first four months of 2025, compared to 180,000 throughout 2023. Last year, the Chinese embassy updated its visa application requirements, introducing several key relaxations.
Indian applicants no longer need to book an online appointment before submitting their visa applications. Instead they can directly submit them at visa centres during working days. Additionally, individuals applying for short-term, single or double-entry visas for stays under 180 days are exempt from providing biometric data, such as fingerprints.Along with these changes, the Chinese Embassy has also reduced visa application fees, introducing new, lower charges for applicants.
TRUMP'S TARIFF WAR
China announced the updated figures at a time when US President Donald Trump rammed up warnings of potential trade tariffs on almost every country, zeroing in on China, which is Washington's prime trading partner and economic adversary.
Trump has raised US tariffs on Chinese imports to 145 per cent while halting new tariffs on goods from other countries. In retaliation, China has imposed a 125 per cent tariff on American products.China has also urged India and other countries to stand with it in opposing what it called the "US tariff abuse".Yu Jing, spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in India, last week, said India and China, as the two largest developing countries, should unite against the US tariff actions."China-India economic and trade relationship is based on complimentarity and mutual benefit. Facing the US abuse of tariffs... the two largest developing countries should stand together to overcome the difficulties," Jing said in a post on X.