China to Permit Visa-Free Journey for Russians in One-12 months Trial

China will permit Russian residents to go to with no visa for as much as 30 days throughout a one-year trial interval beginning later this month, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said Tuesday.

“From Sept. 15, 2025, to Sept. 14, 2026, a trial visa-free policy will be in effect for Russian citizens with regular passports,” spokesman Guo Jiakun informed reporters, in keeping with the state-run TASS information company.

Russians will be capable to enter China with no visa for enterprise, tourism, household visits or instructional exchanges, he stated.

The announcement got here as Russian President Vladimir Putin met Chinese chief Xi Jinping in Beijing, the place the 2 leaders praised their rising partnership as a bulwark in opposition to the West.

Russia’s Association of Tour Operators said the relaxed guidelines might increase Russian tourism to China by as much as 40%. More than 1 million Russians traveled there within the first half of 2025, up practically a 3rd from the earlier 12 months, making China their fifth-most visited vacation spot, in keeping with Russia’s border service.

Since lifting Covid-19 restrictions and reopening its borders in 2023, China has expanded visa-free entry to 75 international locations.