China has officially confirmed that starting September 15, 2025, Russian citizens holding ordinary passports will be able to enter the country without a visa for up to 30 days. The announcement was made on Tuesday by Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun during a regular press briefing in Beijing.
The policy, which will run on a trial basis from September 15, 2025, until September 14, 2026, allows Russian tourists to visit China for business, tourism, family reunions, cultural exchanges, and transit purposes without the need for a visa. Guo emphasized that this measure reflects the deepening of “friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation” between China and Russia. He noted that bilateral relations, especially in areas such as energy and trade, are built on principles of mutual respect and mutual benefit.
The decision underscores Beijing’s commitment to strengthening people-to-people exchanges with Moscow at a time when both countries face complex international challenges. Russia has been seeking to diversify its partnerships in Asia, while China continues to promote broader international tourism following years of restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read Also: Court Rules Trump’s LA National Guard Use Illegal
When asked about U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s recent remarks labeling the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in China as “largely performative” and accusing India of financing Russia’s war effort in Ukraine through oil purchases, Guo pushed back firmly. He stressed that “on the Ukraine crisis, China has always upheld an objective and fair position, and that is evident for all to see.”
Guo further highlighted that the Tianjin summit, held from August 31 to September 1, 2025, was the “largest in scale” and the “most productive” in the history of the SCO. According to him, the outcomes demonstrate the organization’s growing relevance in fostering regional stability, development, and multilateral cooperation.
China’s new visa-free policy is expected to encourage tourism and business exchanges between the two nations, reflecting the strategic importance of the China-Russia partnership at both regional and global levels.