After Xi-Putin Summit, China Extends Visa-Free Policy for Russia to End of 2027

Central News Agency (CNA), Taipei, May 20 (CNA) – Following a visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to China and his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun announced that China has decided to extend its 30-day visa-free policy for Russian citizens to December 31, 2027. The previous visa-free policy was set to expire on September 14 of this year, but Russia has not yet announced an extension of its visa-free period for Chinese citizens. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a regular press conference in the afternoon. According to CCTV News, Guo made the statement in response to a media inquiry. Guo said that to continue facilitating personnel exchanges between China and Russia, China has decided to extend the visa-free policy for Russia to December 31, 2027. Holders of ordinary Russian passports traveling to China for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, exchanges, or transiting for no more than 30 days can enter without a visa. He mentioned that under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China-Russia relations are "operating at a high level," and China is willing to work with Russia to continuously improve the convenience of personnel exchanges and inject more momentum into the development of the "China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era." Prior to this announcement, the Chinese Foreign Ministry had announced on September 2, 2025, a one-year trial of a visa-free entry policy for Russian citizens from September 15, 2025, to September 14, 2026. However, Russia did not immediately announce reciprocal measures. It was not until December 1, 2025, that Russia signed a presidential decree granting visa-free treatment to Chinese citizens, with the same deadline of September 14, 2026. (Editors: Chiu Kuo-chiang / Yang Sheng-ju) 1150520