First visa-free entries recorded as Russia's visa-free policy for China takes effect
(ECNS) -- The first cross-border coach carrying Chinese citizens entered the exit channel at Suifenhe Highway Port in Suifenhe City, located in northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, marking the start of customs clearance after Russia’s visa-free policy for Chinese nationals took effect.
According to a decree signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday, Chinese citizens will be permitted to travel to Russia for tourism or business for up to 30 days without a visa from Dec. 1, 2025 until Sept. 14, 2026. This signifies that the China–Russia mutual visa-free arrangement has entered substantive operation, elevating the level of facilitation for cross-border travel between the two countries.
Sun Shan, deputy director of the Suifenhe Tourism Development Service Center, said they improved service facilities, and prepared a series of integrated activities for commerce and tourism.
In the future, they will work with their Russian counterparts to develop short-trip boutique products such as two-day and weekend tours. Their goal is to turn the Suifenhe Port into a golden gateway for China–Russia cross-border tourism, Sun said.