ForeignvisitorswalkalongapedestrianstreetincentralShanghai,China,June27,2026./VCG

ElonMusk,CEOofTeslaandSpaceX,postedonsocialmediaplatformX,"Chinaisawesome.Istronglyencouragepeopletovisit."

Hismother,MayeMusk,retweetedthepost,concurringwithherson:"Iagree.Eachcityhasitsowncharmwithdifferentculturalsitestosee.Buildingsandstreetsarecleanandingoodrepair.Also,peoplearepolite,hard-working,andrespectful.Ifeelsafe,soenjoygoingtoChina."

ThiswasnotMayeMusk'sfirsttimeencouragingpeopletovisitChina.Inthepastfewyears,shehastouredmultiplecitiesinthecountry,includingGuangzhou,Xiamen,Chengdu,Suzhou,Huzhou,Shanghai,Beijing,Hangzhou,Wuhan,ZhuhaiandWuxi.Shehaspubliclyexpressedherfondnessforthecountryonmultipleoccasions.InoneXpostinOctober2025,shewrote,"Chinaissoadvancedinroads,tunnels,buildings,infrastructure,andports.AlwaysimpressedwhenIvisit."

ComplimentsfromElonMuskandhismothercameasChinawitnessesasignificantexpansionofforeignvisitorsthisyear.

AccordingtotheNationalImmigrationAdministration,thenumberofinboundforeignersreached22.91millioninthefirsthalfof2026,ayear-on-yearincreaseof20.4%.Amongthem,foreignersenteringundervisa-freepoliciesreached17.82million,up30.6%comparedtotheyearbefore.

AnewglobalsurveybyPewResearchCentershowsthatinternationalperceptionsofChinaaresignificantlyimproving.

ElonMusk'spostwasinresponsetoanARKInvestpodcast,producedbyaninvestmentfirm,titled"TeslamaynotneedChinaanymore."