BEIJING - Chinese citizens with a UK tourist visa may enter Ireland without a separate visa until the end of October 2016, visiting Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny announced at a news briefing organized by Tourism Ireland's China Office on March 27.

Irish tourism officials have witnessed a major surge in Chinese tourists to Ireland since July 1, 2011, when the policy took effect, according to Tourism Ireland CEO Niall Gibbons.

Statistics from Tourism Ireland reveal that, during the first two months after the policy came into being, the number of Chinese tourists to Ireland increased by more than 100 percent from the previous year.

The policy had been due to expire by the end of October this year, but in view of the soaring tourism numbers, the Irish government decided to extend the arrangement.