Russian Media: China Plans to Extend Visa-Free Entry for Russian Citizens by 1 Year

Sputnik News Agency reported on the 6th, citing unnamed sources from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, that China has notified Russia of its readiness to extend visa-free entry measures for Russian citizens by one year. According to the report, the source described Chinese officials as "partners" and stated that Russia is working with China to find specific ways to "maintain reciprocal travel procedures for citizens of both countries" (referring to visa-free measures). The report mentioned that, according to the aforementioned source, China's visa-free entry measures for Russian citizens would be extended until mid-September 2027 under these circumstances. The Paper reported today that media outlets asked Mao Ning to respond to the Russian media report. Mao Ning stated that China highly values personnel exchanges between China and Russia and welcomes "more Russian friends" to visit China using the visa-free policy to "experience the beauty of China." Sputnik News Agency reported on the 4th that an official from the Russian Ministry of Economic Development stated on the same day that the question of whether Russia would extend its visa-free policy with China would be decided closer to August. Russia will make its decision based on an assessment of the effectiveness of the visa-free policy. According to a decree signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese citizens can enter Russia visa-free from December 1, 2025, for a maximum stay of 30 days. This is a reciprocal measure to China's implementation of visa-free entry for Russian citizens starting September 15 of the same year. This allows citizens of China and Russia to enter each other's countries visa-free, with the current validity period ending on September 14, 2026. (Edited by Chiu Kuo-chiang/Hsieh Yi-hsuan) 1150407