Beijing officials are expecting at least 2 million more overseas visitors to the capital next year as a result of their decision to ease visa requirements for foreigners from Jan 1.

The new policy, which will permit visitors from 45 countries to spend 72 hours in the city without a visa, is aimed at attracting more airport transit passengers, according to Wang Yue, deputy director of the Beijing Tourism Development Committee.

"Last year, we had 5 million transit passengers coming into Beijing, and they simply went through the airport without entering the city.