China has become one of the top risers in passport attractiveness in the past decade, climbing 34 places from 94th to 60th since 2015, an achievement that is "particularly impressive" thanks to its "significant move toward greater openness," according to the  Henley Passport Index, a widely followed ranking of global passports, in its annual release on Tuesday. 

Titled "Asian Nations Dominate Passport Power Ranking as US and UK Continue to Decline," the latest release suggests that Asian nations continue to lead the global mobility race, with Singapore holding the top spot as the world's most powerful passport, and Japan and South Korea sharing second place. A strong European contingent occupies the rest of the Top 5.

The Henley Passport Index is powered by exclusive Timatic data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and ranks all the world's passports based on the number of destinations their holders can enter without a prior visa.

According to the latest report, China has been at the forefront of a passport power shift. The fast rise of its passport power is "particularly impressive," considering that, unlike other top risers, China has not yet gained visa-free access to Europe's Schengen Area.

The Chinese Ministry of Public Security revealed in a press conference on Wednesday that during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), China expanded its visa-free transit policy to cover 55 countries. In 2024, the number of entries made by foreign nationals to China reached 32.539 million, with 20.115 million entries made under visa-free policies, marking year-on-year increases of 80.7 percent and 112.3 percent, respectively.

China's rise has been assisted by its significant move toward greater openness, the index said. As of May, China had signed mutual visa-exemption agreements with 157 countries, covering different types of passports. In November 2024, it extended the visa-free entry stay period to 30 days, per data released by Xinhua News Agency.

Under the latest visa facilitation policy, China's mutual visa-exemption agreement with Malaysia officially took effect on July 17, further expanding its visa-free travel arrangements. Also, starting on June 1, China's unilateral visa-free program was extended for the first time to Latin American and Caribbean countries, raising the number of countries given unilateral visa-free entry to China to 43. 

Once among the most powerful passports in the world, the UK and US now rank 6th and 10th, respectively. Notably, the US is now on the brink of exiting the Top 10 for the first time in the index's 20-year history, it said.

As of June 30, Chinese travellers visa applications for summer vacations on Trip.com Group, one of the largest online travel agencies in China, for European countries like Italy, Norway, and Germany have increased by over 80 percent compared to the same period last year. Short-haul destinations such as Japan and South Korea remain popular, with South Korea experiencing a nearly 50 percent year-on-year increase in summer visa applications, the Group told the Global Times on Wednesday.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday said that China and the European Union should uphold openness and cooperation, and properly manage differences.

Xi made the remarks when meeting with President of the European Council Antonio Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, who are here for the 25th China-EU Summit in Beijing.

History and reality show that interdependency is not a risk, and convergent interests are not a threat, Xi noted, pointing out that boosting competitiveness should not rely on building walls or barriers, as decoupling and severing supply chains will only result in self-isolation.

Xi said that "reducing dependency" should not lead to reducing China-EU cooperation. The bilateral economic and trade relationship, which is by nature complementary and mutually beneficial, can indeed achieve dynamic equilibrium through development, he said.

China's high-quality development and opening-up will provide new opportunities and potentials for China-EU cooperation, Xi noted, calling on both sides to strengthen green and digital partnership, and boost mutual investment and cooperation.

It is hoped that the EU can remain open in trade and investment market, refrain from using restrictive economic and trade tools, and foster a sound business environment for Chinese enterprises investing and operating in the EU, Xi stressed.

In 2025, a series of high-profile technology conferences in China, including the International Advanced Air Mobility Expo and the 2025 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance, have drawn significant attention from global media, attracting numerous foreign delegates and exhibitors eager to explore China's advancements in AI and the burgeoning low-altitude economy. 

The International Advanced Air Mobility Expo is held in east China's Shanghai from July 23 to 26, where nearly 300 exhibitors display their low-altitude infrastructure as well as manufacturing and supporting services, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

During the event, over 30 forums were organized, making it a focal point for the low-altitude economy sector this year. The expo showcased a vibrant and diverse landscape. New energy and intelligent industries, represented by drones and electric vertical takeoff and landing applications, shone brightly, with numerous renowned companies participating. 

Leading enterprises in traditional general aviation from both China and abroad also gathered at the expo to display their latest achievements. Additionally, the event highlighted the deep integration of new technologies, materials, energy sources, and innovative finance with the low-altitude industry.

At the venue, a welcoming string ensemble intertwined with a drone "flash mob" performance, creating a spectacular fusion of technology and art. The Shanghai Services Federation, in collaboration with Shanghai Handong Machinery Technology, illuminated the night sky with a three-minute drone formation performance.

In terms of practical applications, the expo comprehensively showcased low-altitude products and solutions across various scenarios, including public safety, firefighting, emergency response, aerial mapping, agricultural and forestry protection, and drone formation performances. 

As a new productive force and a strategic emerging industry, the low-altitude economy has received significant national attention in recent years, having been included in the Chinese government's work report for two consecutive years since 2024. The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China also outlined clear requirements for its development. Against this backdrop, the 2025 Expo actively responded to national strategies, establishing a high-level dialogue platform with an international perspective.

On July 23, the 24th China Internet Conference opened in Beijing. Themed "Data-Driven New Quality, Intelligence-Created Future," this conference focused on accelerating the qualitative leap of internet technologies. Artificial intelligence, as a strategic technology leading the new wave of technological revolution and industrial transformation, has become a key driver of new productive forces. In recent years, the rapid evolution of AI technology has injected new momentum into various industries, continuously fostering new business models and promoting a more intelligent, efficient, green, and sustainable society, analysts said.

Meanwhile, the 2025 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai has also garnered global attention. A spokesperson of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on Thursday that the theme of this year's conference is "Global Solidarity in the AI Era." China has invited high-level representatives from over 40 countries and international organizations. 

We hope that participating parties will have in-depth discussions on three major topics, namely deepening innovation cooperation and unleashing the intelligence dividend, promoting inclusive development and bridging the digital divide, and strengthening collaborative governance and ensuring AI for good, said the spokesperson.