'Thousands stand to benefit' from Sino-US visa accord

The visa deal agreed by China and the United States will benefit about 80 percent of travelers between the countries, a Foreign Ministry official said on Friday.

It will also be used as a template to make similar arrangements with other developed countries, Huang Ping, director general of the Consular Department said at a news briefing.

The new agreement will extend the validity of B-1, B-2 and B-1/B-2 visas to 10 years from one year for Chinese citizens traveling to the US for business or leisure, Huang said. US citizens applying for tourism, business and visiting visas will enjoy a reciprocal arrangement.