China and the EU ratified an agreement that makes the eurozone more accessible to Chinese tourists. The memorandum, signed in Beijing, will simplify visa procedures for Chinese tourist groups.
The memorandum, scheduled to go into effect by summer 2004, also grants approved destination status (ADS) to EU member states, which clears the way for organized tours to visit the region.
In the agreement, China also agreed to take back any tourists who overstay their visas in EU member states.