Moscow has framed the move as a reciprocal step after Beijing eased rules for Russians

Russia has begun the process of lifting visa requirements for Chinese citizens, a senior official has announced.

Nikita Kondratyev, head of the Department for Multilateral Economic Cooperation and Special Projects at the Economic Development Ministry, said on Wednesday that government agencies were already implementing Russian President Vladimir Putin's directive to lift entry restrictions.

It mirrors Beijing's recent decision to grant visa-free entry to Russian citizens, announced at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization's summit last week. Soon afterward, Putin announced Russia would reciprocate at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, describing the move as aimed at strengthening economic cooperation and cultural ties.

"The decision must be carried out, and all agencies have already begun this important work," Kondratyev said. He added that the ministry had long been working to adapt Russia's tourism offerings for Chinese travelers, citing the expansion of electronic visas and group visa-free travel programs.

Kondratyev said many people had asked about the potential for inbound travel, and Russia had previously set a target of 16 million foreign visitors by 2030. Since the visa-free announcement, Moscow has set a goal of attracting 5.7 million Chinese tourists alone by that date.

China's visa waiver for Russians will begin on September 15 on a one-year trial basis. It will apply to holders of ordinary passports, who may stay up to 30 days for business, tourism, personal visits, exchanges, or transit.

A bilateral agreement already allows visa-free entry for organized Chinese tour groups of five to 50 people through accredited operators.

Tourism between the two countries has been rising steadily. Russians made about three million trips to China in 2024, with numbers expected to grow further as new travel rules take effect.

(RT.com)