Russia will soon introduce visa-free entry for Chinese citizens, President Vladimir Putin announced on Friday at an economic forum in Vladivostok. The move comes after China declared visa-free access for Russian passport holders starting September 15, allowing stays of up to 30 days on a one-year trial basis.
Putin hailed the decision as a “friendly gesture” by Beijing and pledged reciprocity. Addressing Chinese President Xi Jinping as his “dear friend,” the Russian leader said ties between Moscow and Beijing were at “an unprecedentedly high level.”
The announcement was made during Putin’s meeting with Li Hongzhong, a senior member of China’s Communist Party and vice chairman of the NPC Standing Committee. Putin also recalled the historical solidarity of the two nations during World War II, saying, “We stood together then, and we remain together now.”
Beyond travel, both sides advanced economic cooperation. A new memorandum was signed to build a natural gas pipeline to China, while Russia’s state gas company finalized agreements with a Chinese counterpart to boost energy deliveries via existing routes.
The move comes against the backdrop of strained US-China ties. Just a day earlier, Washington unveiled a new visa policy aimed at Central American nationals accused of working on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party to undermine regional governance. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said such individuals, along with their families, would be barred from entering the United States.
