The 2014 Spring Festival is approaching, during which time many Chinese families are planning to travel abroad for vacation.
However, there are complaints with the difficulty of applying for visas and concerns that the Chinese passport has "low value" compared with those of developed countries. There are only a few countries, which are mostly underdeveloped, that have given the Chinese mainland visa-free treatment.
Developed countries refusing to give China visa-free treatment shows China's real image in their eyes. It also represents how much trust and respect they want to pay to China. China's dramatic GDP growth does not equate to convenience for Chinese nationals who would like to go abroad.
Illegal immigration from China is the major reason why developed countries keep a firm grip on their visa policy. Refusing to offer a visa-free service can effectively block illegal immigrants.
However, rapid economic development is lining the pockets of Chinese people, especially those living in coastal areas. They are becoming more interested in foreign travel. Attracting these tourists has become important to invigorate the economies of many developed countries. The rivalry between the desire for more deep-pocketed Chinese tourists and the longstanding fear for illegal immigrants will determine whether China gets the visa-free treatment from them.
In this case, by expanding the Western market's dependence on Chinese tourists and further reducing poverty, China can hold the initiative.
In fact, progress has been made. From January 27, the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and France, Chinese tourists are given a "VIP passageway" through which they can get their visas less than 48 hours after application. This move marks the beginning of the competition among Western countries which are all eager to attract massively increasing Chinese tourism.
The public's complaint over the "low value" of the Chinese mainland passport shows their dissatisfaction with the current situation of the country. As for the government, it needs to spare no efforts to address the problems which are closely related to people's livelihood.
Getting visa-free treatment from developed countries is not an easy job, but it is still possible. China is now at the critical moment when many breakthroughs are waiting to be made.
Chinese people have rationality and do not expect to make their passport a skeleton key to open the gate of every country. However, we still need to strive for more convenience with our passport. This requires the joint efforts of a whole generation.