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Putin Seeks Permanent Visa-Free Travel with China
(MENAFN) Russian President Vladimir Putin says Moscow is prepared to cooperate with Beijing on making visa-free travel between the two countries a permanent arrangement.
"We are ready to work together to make the visa-free regime permanent, if the Chinese side considers this possible and useful," Putin said during talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Bishkek.
Russia introduces reciprocal visa-free entry for Chinese citizens in December 2025, allowing visitors to remain in the country for up to 30 days without obtaining a visa through Sept. 14, 2026. China had already established a comparable arrangement for Russian travelers.
The two governments later agree to maintain visa-free travel for their citizens until the end of 2027.
Putin says the policy has contributed to a significant increase in movement between Russia and China, with the number of tourist trips climbing 43% during the first half of 2026.
Earlier, Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui says the number of Chinese tourists visiting Russia rises by nearly 50% in the first quarter of 2026 after visa restrictions are eased.
The proposal to make the arrangement permanent comes as Moscow and Beijing continue efforts to expand economic and people-to-people connections, with tourism serving as an important part of their broader bilateral relationship.
"We are ready to work together to make the visa-free regime permanent, if the Chinese side considers this possible and useful," Putin said during talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Bishkek.
Russia introduces reciprocal visa-free entry for Chinese citizens in December 2025, allowing visitors to remain in the country for up to 30 days without obtaining a visa through Sept. 14, 2026. China had already established a comparable arrangement for Russian travelers.
The two governments later agree to maintain visa-free travel for their citizens until the end of 2027.
Putin says the policy has contributed to a significant increase in movement between Russia and China, with the number of tourist trips climbing 43% during the first half of 2026.
Earlier, Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui says the number of Chinese tourists visiting Russia rises by nearly 50% in the first quarter of 2026 after visa restrictions are eased.
The proposal to make the arrangement permanent comes as Moscow and Beijing continue efforts to expand economic and people-to-people connections, with tourism serving as an important part of their broader bilateral relationship.
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