Chinese Ambassador to Russia Hanhui proposed to extend the visa-free regime forever

It is advisable to extend the visa-free regime between Russia and China indefinitely. This was announced on April 5 by Chinese Ambassador to Moscow Zhang Hanhui.

The diplomat stressed that the current visa-free travel format has already provided citizens of both countries with a significant number of convenient conditions. In his opinion, this practice directly benefits the peoples of Russia and China.

"I hope that forever," the ambassador said, answering a question from TASS about the preferred duration of the visa—free regime between the states.

Go beyond borders: Russia and China are interested in extending visa-free travel

Moscow will prepare proposals to Beijing in the second quarter of this year.

Elena Shelekhova, head of the OneTwoTrip travel planning service, said on February 3 that after the cancellation of the visa regime with China, Russian tourists began to book hotels in this country much more often. According to the service, from mid-September 2025 to the end of January 2026, the number of hotel bookings to China increased by 22% compared to the same period last year.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on December 2 last year that the decision on visa-free entry for Chinese citizens to Russia is very important, as it will serve as an impetus for the development of further contacts. He added that the visa-free regime would facilitate mutual travel for Russian and Chinese citizens.

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