China's ambassador to the U.S. said that the period required for permission of travel by U.S. business executives will be reduced to no more than 10 days.

Qin Gang, who arrived in the U.S. in July, stated at a dinner given by the U.S.-China Business Council that Beijing will also seek to make COVID-19 testing more convenient and allow executives to work while quarantined.

Qin stated that Beijing was following President Xi Jinping's lead in upgrading "fast track" travel arrangements, in response to concerns raised about the resumption of business travel announced after Xi met with President Joe Biden last month.

It was reported in November that China wants to upgrade its "fast track lane" to allow U.S. business executives to visit the country. President Xi reportedly told President Biden in the leaders' virtual summit.

According to multiple U.S. media reports on the summit that cited Chinese officials' reporting of the discussion, the issue came up among the many subjects discussed during the 3.5-hour video conference between Xi and Biden.

According to a transcript of a press briefing on the call issued by the White House, the two leaders discussed a "broad variety of topics," including an extensive discussion about Taiwan policy. Trade and commerce were a lesser portion of the conversation.

"With the upgraded arrangement, the time needed for travel approval will be shorter, no more than 10 working days," he said.

Qin stated that Beijing would disclose its exact workplan with the CDC "very soon." He stated that Beijing was dedicated to carrying out the spirit of Xi and Biden's recent virtual summit and injecting "more positive energy into our relations."

In manufacturing, financial services, and the energy sector, Qin advocated for more cooperation. He also reiterated Beijing's demand that Washington remove extra tariffs placed on Chinese imports by previous President Donald Trump's administration.

China's borders have remained mostly restricted to foreign tourists since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, but the country has implemented Fast Lane agreements to allow business travelers from certain countries, like Singapore and South Korea.

Biden met with Xi on the same day he signed a $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill into law, the country's largest public works investment since the Interstate Highway System was established in 1956. The package contains investments of $25 billion in airports, $66 billion in Amtrak, and $110 billion in roads and bridges.