Northeastern Chinese city Harbin will offer a 72-hour visa-free entry for international transit passengers from Aug. 1, a move to boost tourism and business.

The policy covers travelers from 51 countries and regions, including the United States, Russia, Britain, France and Japan. They can enjoy a 72-hour stay in the city upon entry via the Harbin Taiping International Airport, providing they have third country visas and onward tickets to leave for a third country or region within 72 hours.

The move will boost international tourism, commercial and trade cooperation as well as cultural exchanges, said Liu Yang, head of the the exit-entry administration department of the provincial public security bureau, at a press conference on Monday.

Harbin airport has already launched direct flights to Russia, Japan, the Republic of Korea and several countries in southeast Asia.

The same visa-free policy is already in place in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Kunming, Chengdu, Chongqing, Shenyang, Dalian, Guilin and Hangzhou cities.