Qatar has had a fallout with all of its neighboring countries, and flights departing from or arriving in Qatar are no longer allowed to pass through neighboring airspace. Today (Aug. 9), the Qatari government announced visa-free entry for citizens of 80 countries, including Chinese citizens.
Visa-Free Entry
Starting now, holders of Chinese passports will automatically receive a 30-day multiple-entry allowance when entering Qatar, and can apply to extend it for an additional 30 days. The passport must be valid for at least 6 months.
This is much easier than the previous 96-hour transfer visa, which had several restrictions and airline limitations.
Note that Emirates and Etihad Airways have suspended all Qatar routes. Whatever the reason, an expanded list of visa-free countries is always good news. If you are flying Qatar Airways, you can easily stay a day in Doha and do some sightseeing.