China lifted quarantine restrictions for inbound travellers on Sunday in a relaxation of strict Covid curbs imposed almost three years ago.
The easing of the Beijing government’s strict zero-Covid policy also allowed for the border between mainland China and Hong Kong to reopen.
Tens of thousands of travellers reportedly flocked to cross in both directions as barriers were relaxed on Sunday.
Travellers to China no longer need to quarantine but will still require proof of a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours of travelling.
Around 155 million Chinese people travelled overseas in 2018 before the pandemic hit.
But outbound travellers from China face the re-imposition of pre-departure Covid tests to countries including England, the US, India and Australia.
The EU has recommended following England and some individual member states in requiring testing ahead of departure for travellers from China in a move condemned by aviation groups Airlines for Europe (A4E), Iata and ACI Europe.
The World Travel & Tourism Council joined the criticism as China’s borders reopened.
President and chief executive Julia Simpson said: “After nearly three years, it is great news that China is finally opening up. Chinese visitors around the world contributed $253 billion to the global economy in 2019, creating jobs and boosting regional economies.
“The recovery of the Chinese travel and tourism sector is very welcome.
“Introducing knee-jerk travel restrictions shows governments have learned nothing about the behaviour of this virus and continue to ignore the World Health Organisation’s advice that border restrictions do not stop the virus mutating or moving around the globe.
“The reintroduction of ineffective Covid testing to Chinese travellers is a step backwards for the global travel and tourism sector.”
The UK’s Covid-19 related border measures for people arriving into England from mainland China do not apply to anyone travelling from Hong Kong.
Hong Kong residents and vaccinated non-Hong Kong residents who have visited the UK are permitted to enter Hong Kong, according to the Foreign Office.
But travellers departing for Hong Kong will need to provide a negative rapid antigen test result for Covid-19, taken no more than 24 hours prior to departure, or a negative PCR test taken no more than 48 hours before departure.
The Foreign Office issued fresh travel advice saying that all travellers crossing the border between Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland must provide a report of a negative PCR test taken no more than 48 hours before departure.
However, people in Hong Kong can enter neighbouring Macao test-free and quarantine-free.
The advice added: “Those departing from Macao must present a negative rapid antigen test result for Covid-19, taken no more than 24 hours prior to departure, or a negative PCR test taken no more than 48 hours before departure. If they have been to mainland China in the past 7 days, travellers must present a negative PCR test taken no more than 48 hours before departure.
“Ferry crossings between Hong Kong and Shenzhen or Macao have resumed. The high-speed rail service connecting mainland China is expected to restart operation soon.”