Visa-free journey to Russia for Chinese residents: Putin’s ‘reciprocal’ gesture after China’s transfer

Putin, who was in China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit and the Chinese victory parade, mentioned that Russia can even introduce a visa-free regime for Chinese residents, Russian information company TASS reported.

He made the remarks at a gathering with Li Hongzhong, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and vice chairman of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee.

China’s overseas ministry on Tuesday mentioned that it’s going to lengthen visa-free journey to abnormal passport holders from Russia, a transfer that got here after bilateral conferences between the 2 nations. The visa exemption will probably be for a 12 months from September 15, with a most interval for entry to China set at 30 days.

“Of course, Russia will reciprocate this friendly gesture. We will do the same,” Putin mentioned on the assembly with the CPC member.

A bilateral settlement on a visa-free journey system for organised vacationer teams is already in place between China and Russia. Reportedly, solely accredited operators from each nations can organise excursions, and the teams should include at the least 5 and not more than 50 folks.

Chinese vacationers go to Russia on a daily or an digital visa, the TASS report talked about. Moscow launched digital visas in August 2023, entitling the holder to remain within the nation for as much as 30 days. Electronic visas may be obtained in just a few days and value about $40-50.

During a sequence of bilateral conferences in China on Tuesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Putin affirmed their ties as “old friends” towards the backdrop of the challenges posed by the US tariffs.

Putin instructed his “dear friend” Xi that Russia’s ties with Beijing are at “an unprecedentedly high level”.

The Russian President mentioned that Moscow and Beijing had been collectively again within the days of World War II, when the Soviet Union offered help to China in its combat towards Japan, and affirmed that they “remain together now”.

Reportedly, Putin and Xi additionally signed a memorandum to construct one other pure gasoline pipeline to China. The Russian state gasoline firm additionally signed agreements with a Chinese state vitality firm to extend deliveries by way of present routes.