China to Offer Visa-Free Travel to Russian Tourists Starting September 15
The visa exemption will take effect from September 15 and remain in place for one year, allowing Russian citizens to stay in China for up to 30 days per visit.
China announced on Tuesday that it will allow visa-free travel for Russian citizens holding ordinary passports, starting September 15. The policy, set to run on a trial basis for one year, will permit Russian visitors to stay in China for up to 30 days per entry.
The move follows high-level talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, held in Beijing a day after the 2025 Tianjin SCO Summit.
The two leaders met ahead of a major military parade, where President Putin praised the strength of their bilateral relationship. "Our close communication reflects the strategic nature of Russian-Chinese ties, which are currently at an unprecedented level," Putin said during the meeting, according to a pooled live feed.
Referencing their cooperation during past conflicts, Putin added, "We were always together then, and we remain together now."
The visa-free travel policy is expected to boost tourism and deepen diplomatic and economic ties between the two nations.