The Philippine Foreign Ministry announced on Thursday that starting Friday, Chinese citizens will be allowed visa-free entry into the Philippines for stays of up to 14 days.

Under the new policy, Chinese travelers arriving through Manila and Cebu airports will be eligible for visa-free entry, the ministry said. The 14-day stay cannot be extended, and the exemption applies only to arrivals through those specified international gateways.

The move is aimed at boosting tourism and strengthening bilateral ties between the Philippines and China, one of the Philippines’ largest sources of visitors.

The government did not immediately provide details on conditions such as proof of onward travel or financial requirements for visa-free visitors.

Chinese tourists previously needed a visa to enter the Philippines, a requirement that had been cited as a constraint on travel growth in the region.

Tourism officials in the Philippines have been seeking to attract more visitors from China, whose outbound travel has rebounded strongly following the easing of pandemic restrictions.