China extends visa-free facility for Russian citizens until 2027

Beijing — The Chinese government has extended the visa-free policy for Russian citizens until 31 December 2027, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said. ‘To continue facilitating cross-border travel between China and Russia, China has decided to extend the visa-free policy to Russia until 31 December 2027,’ he told a press briefing in Beijing on Wednesday. Guo Jiakun said China will work with Russia to further facilitate border traffic between the two peoples and give a stronger boost to the comprehensive strategic partnership for a new era. ‘Holders of ordinary passports from Russia may be exempt from visa to enter China and stay no more than 30 days for business, tourism, visiting family or friends, exchanges, and transit,’ he added. China is known to have visa-free agreements with 29 countries and unilateral visa-free access offering visa-free entry to citizens of 48 countries. President Vladimir Putin himself was in Beijing on 19-20 May 2026. His visit was his 25th to China. ‘This morning, President Xi Jinping hosted a welcome ceremony for President Vladimir Putin who is on a state visit to China. The two presidents held private and formal talks to conduct strategic communications on a number of major issues,’ Guo Jiakun said. The pair reportedly agreed to continue extending the ‘Good-Neighborly and Friendly Cooperation’ agreement between China and Russia. ‘China-Russia relations have reached a peak today thanks to the sustained efforts of both countries to deepen political trust and strategic coordination, to expand cooperation in various fields, to uphold justice and equality in the international arena, and to promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity,’ Guo Jiakun said. In the context of a changing and volatile international environment, China and Russia are committed to developing a comprehensive strategic coordination partnership for a new era based on equality, mutual respect, adherence to commitments, and mutually beneficial cooperation, he added. ‘Mutual political trust continues to rise, cooperation in economics and trade, investment, energy, science and technology, people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and regional collaboration are progressing, and bonds between peoples are growing stronger,’ Guo Jiakun said. The relationship has entered a new phase with greater achievements and faster growth. ‘As a permanent member of the UN Security Council and a major world power, China and Russia, taking into account strategic and long-term goals, will push for closer comprehensive strategic coordination to advance development in each country and contribute to a more just and equitable global governance system,’ Guo Jiakun explained.