The picturesque views of Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan has decided to implement a one-year unilateral visa-free policy for Chinese citizens, said a joint statement signed between China and Azerbaijan.

The decision aims to develop tourism in Azerbaijan and further expand its economic, people-to-people and cultural ties with China, said the statement.

More and more countries implement visa-free policy for Chinese tourists. Lao's 15-day visa-free policy for Chinese tourists officially took effect, according to a document issued by the Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism of Laos.

The document states that ordinary tourists from the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan who are accompanied by travel agents are eligible for the policy.

The policy, which commenced on July 1 and lasts until Dec 31 this year, is designed to encourage tourism and strengthen cultural and economic ties between Laos and China.