CCTV News reported that according to a decree signed by Russian President Putin, starting from today (December 1) until September 14, 2026 (including September 14), Chinese citizens can travel to Russia for tourism or business activities without a visa. The visa-free period is 30 days. This new policy is an important step in the bilateral visa-free arrangement between China and Russia, marking a new stage in people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

Key content of the new policy:

* Applicable to: Chinese citizens holding ordinary passports.

* Validity period: Effective immediately, until September 14, 2026 (including the same day).

* Stay duration: Each entry allows a maximum stay of 30 days.

* Entry purpose: Primarily covers tourism and business activities. According to official Russian documents, it also applies to participating in scientific, cultural, social and political, economic, and sports activities, as well as transit.

* Important principle: Implemented based on the principle of reciprocity.

* Special notice: Personnel traveling for purposes such as studying in Russia, working, or reporting are not included in this visa-free arrangement and still need to apply for the corresponding visa in advance.

This new policy marks the beginning of the "two-way visa-free era": this is not a one-sided policy. Earlier this September, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs had already announced that starting from September 15, 2025, Russian citizens coming to China for business, tourism, etc., could also enjoy a 30-day visa exemption. The implementation of this Russian policy means that the bilateral visa-free arrangement between China and Russia has been officially connected, forming a policy window period of nearly one year.

The policy is explicitly stated as a "temporary" arrangement with a clear end date (September 14, 2026). Its legal basis is "based on the principle of reciprocity," which is a common reciprocal practice in international relations, aimed at promoting personnel exchanges during specific periods.

The policy mainly serves two high-frequency, short-term travel needs: tourism and business. It aims to facilitate people's travel, deepen civilian exchanges, and promote economic and trade cooperation. At the same time, it clearly excludes situations requiring long-term residence permits, such as studying abroad and working, with clear boundaries.

This is a significant benefit for people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, allowing people to make spontaneous trips between the two countries with just a regular visa.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1850312682159168/

Statement: The article represents the personal views of the author.