Starting from September 15, the Chinese authorities will introduce a visa-free regime for Russian citizens with a regular passport for up to 30 days, TASS reports, citing a statement by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun.
"In order to further facilitate mutual travel between citizens of China and other countries, the Chinese side has decided to expand the range of countries whose citizens have the right to visa-free entry. From September 15, 2025 to September 14, 2026, a trial visa-free policy will be in effect for Russian citizens with ordinary [foreign] passports," – Jiakun said at a briefing.
According to the official representative, Russians can visit China without a visa for business, tourism, visiting relatives or friends, or exchanging visits for up to 30 days.
"China attaches great importance to enhancing exchanges between the peoples of the two countries, supports the strengthening of cooperation between them, and makes a positive contribution to the development of comprehensive strategic partnership and coordination between China and Russia in the new era," – Guo Jiakun stressed, adding that Beijing welcomes "even more Russian friends to visit China more often."
In August 2023, Russia and China resumed the visa-free group travel program, suspended since the beginning of the pandemic. This decision immediately had a tangible effect – the tourist flow from China to Russia increased significantly, according to RBC. According to Russian President Vladimir Putin, in 2024, the mutual tourist flow between the countries increased 2.5 times and reached 2.8 million people.
For individual travelers, a trip to China still requires a visa. However, conditions have become milder for transit through the country: since December 2024, China has extended the period of visa-free transit stay for citizens of Russia and several other countries to 10 days.
The simplification of the visa regime for Russians was announced shortly after the meeting in Beijing between the leaders of China and Russia, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin. During the negotiations, the parties signed several agreements, including a Memorandum on the construction of the "Power of Siberia 2" gas pipeline and the "Soyuz–Vostok" transit route through Mongolia.
The "Soyuz–Vostok" project will allow up to 50 billion cubic meters of Russian gas to be transported annually through Mongolia to China. Deliveries are expected to be carried out within 30 years.
