China is taking a significant step towards reopening its borders after three years of coronavirus containment measures by resuming the issuance of visas to foreigners. The Chinese Embassy in the United States announced on Monday that China will begin issuing various categories of visas to foreigners from March 15. The embassy also said that visa restrictions for various locations, including Hainan Island and cruise ships passing through Shanghai port, will be lifted. Foreigners from Hong Kong and Macao will be allowed visa-free entry to Guangdong. The announcement comes as China is gradually easing its travel restrictions, with the government recently announcing that it will resume issuing visas to foreign students and business travelers. The move is seen as a sign that China is beginning to open up its borders again after the pandemic. It is also seen as a welcome move for the tourism industry, which has been hard hit by the pandemic. The Chinese government has promised to take measures to ensure the safety of travelers, including requiring travelers to present a negative COVID-19 test result and undergo a 14-day quarantine upon arrival. The resumption of visa issuance is a positive step towards restoring normalcy in the Chinese travel industry, and a sign that the country is gradually emerging from the pandemic.