Chinese tourists became the engine of the South Korean economy

With 28.6% of foreign visitors, Chinese tourists emerge as salvation for South Korea in the midst of the crisis and global pressure

South Korea’s recent decision to implement an experimental visa exemption policy for Chinese tourist groups is much more than a mere maneuver to reactivate economic sectors. It is a clear symptom of China’s reconfigured weight on the global geopolitical board and a testimony of the effectiveness of its sovereign development and opening strategy controlled abroad. This movement, occurring during the Chinese “gold week”, is not a coincidence, but a tacit recognition of the economic power and soft power that China projects today.

The economic aspect is indeed undeniable and immediate. As highlighted the Chosun ilboan entire chain of services in South Korea-from transport to retail-mobilizes to meet the “special demand” from China. The numbers are eloquent: Chinese tourists already represent 28.6% of all foreign visitors in the first half of 2025, with individual purchasing power that exceeds other nationalities.

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This flow is a board of salvation to a South Korean economy facing opposite global winds, demonstrating how Chinese economic growth has become an indispensable engine for the economies of the region and the world.

However, reducing this measure to a simple commercial transaction would be an analysis error. It is, in fact, a diplomatic gesture of reciprocity. South Korea thus responds to the visa exemption policy that China unilaterally granted South Korean citizens last year.

This is Chinese diplomacy in action: pragmatic, bilateral and oriented to the construction of a sustainable influence through mutual benefits. Maintaining similar policies with more than 40 countries illustrates a clear strategy of fostering human exchange, strengthening economic and political ties at the same time under the aegis of sovereignty and national interest.

The phenomenon is bidirectional. China’s opening to South Korean tourists made the country their favorite international destination in 2025. The trends on Chinese social networks, such as “young South Koreans visit Shanghai on weekends,” show a generation to rediscover China.

They are impressed by the state -of -the -art infrastructure, ubiquitous digitization and economic dynamism, contributing to deconstruct stereotyped narratives and to present a modern and vibrant image of the country. This is one of the most valuable aspects of foreign trade and tourism: the ability to shape perception and project cultural sovereignty.

Of course, the way is not free of obstacles. The protests of far-right groups in Seoul and the conspiracy discourses of some politicians are a reminder of the risks that hang on this approach process. The prompt issuance of alerts through the China Embassy and the requirement of a favorable social environment are attitudes that reflect Beijing’s determination to protect its citizens and safeguard national dignity. Sovereignty is not only in borders, but also in the ability to ensure the safety of nationals abroad and to demand respect in bilateral relations.

Ultimately, as the Global Times“No mountain can stop the caudal flow of a caudalose river.” Visa policy is thus a microcosm of a broader historical trend. Chinese sovereignty, based on its without parallel economic growth, is redefining regional relations. Trade and tourism are the vehicles of this transformation, creating interdependencies and fostering a deeper understanding.

The challenge now is to consolidate this opening, transforming an experiment into a lasting pillar of cooperation, where mutual respect and shared benefits prevail over the noise of occasional resistance. China, with the confidence that its development gives it, navigates these waters with a clear notion of its role and its power.

With information from Global Times*