With the promise of a new year comes the anticipation of new horizons, and for many, this is the time to plan travel for the year ahead.In 2024, the Chinese Government unilaterally extended visa-free entry to citizens of 38 countries and has broadened a policy of offering visa-free entry for transit travelers who plan visits of 10 days or less. That currently applies to 54 nations.In a number of past episodes we've talked with experts about how China differs from Western liberal democracies (see below) and in this episode of Perspectives with Neilo we take a closer look at what you should know if you are thinking of travelling to the People's Republic of China (#PRC) in the year ahead. Topics covered in this episode include:ChinaTravel - brief introduction,The one-party authoritarian state (listen to China 101),Freedom, Media, Surveillance,Exit bans and the case of Irishman, Richard O'Halloran,Phone inspections, mobile payments and the Great Firewall,Propaganda awareness,How successful is China's visa-free entry so far?Flights and transiting in Hong Kong.Be sure to check your government's Travel Advice website for the latest advice for citizens of your country.Date of Recording; January 12th, 2025See blog at www.pwneilo.com for music credits#ChinaTravel, #Beijing, #BeijingTravel, #ExitBan, #TravelAdvisory, #TravelAdvice, #RichardOHalloran, #Ireland, #China, #HongKong, #GreatWall, #GreatFirewall, #Visafree #Podcast