WHEN I went to Beijing, China right before the pandemic, I had second thoughts about the trip. Why would I visit a country which many Filipinos despise for allegedly violating Philippine sovereignty?

I even went to the extreme of thinking that once there, I might not be able to return home if war suddenly erupts between China and our country.

One can’t blame me for entertaining such ideas considering the alarming tensions unfolding in the disputed islands back then.

Although such strains still exist nowadays, they are no longer worrying me too much because BBM is doing a great balancing act. And honestly, I feel more secured now that the US is expressly showing support for our cause.

But once in Beijing, I learned there are many misconceptions about the Chinese people being rude and arrogant. They are actually very warm and welcoming.

I entered a souvenir store and got the surprise of my life when a female Chinese staff approached me with a smile and said: “Bili na mura lang ‘yan.” It turned out the management is excited to receive Filipino customers because we are big spenders for pasalubong.

Don’t be offended if some ordinary vendors would try to avoid English-speaking tourists because I think they are more comfortable talking using their own language.

But in general, the Chinese people are beautiful, smart, engaging and friendly. They are very busy attending to their own businesses instead of warmongering.

I was told they are not much interested in what’s happening in the West Philippine Sea and other territories both claimed by China and the Philippines.

If there’s opportunity, I would gladly revisit China which has officially reopened to foreign tourists, including Filipinos, as it resumed accepting applications for all types of visas, the Chinese Embassy in Manila said Saturday.

The long wait is over as China finally resumes issuing all types of visas for foreigners, including the tourism visa, port visa, and multiple visa-exemption policies starting from March 15, 2023, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian said in a Facebook post.

Huang said applicants may apply for visas online through https://cova.mfa.gov.cn.

Interested travelers, he said, may also consult with the Chinese Embassy in Manila and its consulates in Cebu, Laoag, and Davao for detailed requirements and procedures.

Meanwhile, China will resume the visa-exemption policy for Hainan, visa-exemption cruise policy for Shanghai, visa-exemption policy for foreigners to visit Guangdong from Hong Kong and Macau, and visa-exemption policy for ASEAN tour groups to Guilin and Guangxi.

China fully reopened to leisure travelers three years after the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic struck and triggered the country to impose one of the world’s most severe lockdowns.

Last month, it also allowed outbound group travel for Chinese citizens to more than a dozen countries, including the Philippines, reviving hopes for the pandemic-hit tourism sector.

Philippine Ambassador to China Jaime FlorCruz said most of the visa applicants are students, tourists, and business travelers.

Before the pandemic, China was the country’s second-largest source of visitors, accounting for 1.7 million travelers in 2019.

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