China said it hopes Japan will work towards improving people exchanges between the two countries, after Beijing announced a visa-free arrangement for Japanese citizens last week.

"We certainly hope that the Japanese side will join us... to enhance the level of facilitation of people-to-people exchanges between the two countries," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said in a regular briefing on Monday.

"The Chinese government has always attached great importance to the facilitation of people-to-people exchanges."

China will expand its visa-free arrangements to include Japan and eight other countries, including Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia, from November 30, 2024, to December 31, 2025, the Foreign Ministry said on Friday.

It's part of ongoing efforts to boost international tourism and business travel.

Beijing will also extend the visa-free stay period to 30 days from 15 days for citizens of all 38 countries within its visa-free programme. (Reuters/Xinhua)