China-Russia visa-free policy boosts cross-border travel

(ECNS) -- Manzhouli Port in north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region has handled 753,000 trips by Russian travelers since China introduced a trial visa-free policy for holders of ordinary Russian passports, up 51.2% year on year, according to the Manzhouli Immigration Inspection Station.

Travelers go through customs procedures at Manzhouli Port in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. (Photo: China News Service/ An Jila)

Since the policy took effect on Sept. 15, 2025, the station has deployed Russian-speaking staff to assist travelers and improved clearance efficiency by nearly 50%, cutting the average processing time to less than 3 minutes.

To further streamline the process, the station has introduced online arrival card submission, self-service terminals and bilingual instructions at the port.

China and Russia agreed in May to extend the visa-free policy through Dec. 31, 2027, a move expected to further boost cross-border tourism, trade and people-to-people exchanges through Manzhouli Port.

（By Helen Mo & intern Liu Shuangjing)