The date of the resumption of visa-free tourist exchange between Russia and China has not yet been determined

The Russian authorities, together with the General Directorate of Tourism of the PRC, are actively working to renew the intergovernmental agreement on visa-free group trips of citizens, informed press service of the government of Primorye. However, the date for the resumption of visa-free travel between Russia and China, suspended due to the COVID-19 epidemic, is not yet clear.

“Madam Consul expressed a completely justified wish that the resumption of tourist exchanges should be gradual and systematic. The main thing is to make sure that the safety and comfort for tourists can be fully ensured. Only after that it is possible to talk about the exact dates for the start of tours,”— commented the results of the working meeting with the Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Vladivostok, Piao Yangfan, head of the Primorsky Territory Tourism Agency, Arseniy Krepsky.

On January 26, Mr. Krepsky said that “the main approvals of state regulatory authorities to ensure visa-free tourist exchanges through checkpoints in the Primorsky Territory have been received.” It was clarified that the final date for the resumption of visa-free tourist exchange could be determined on February 8.

Earlier, it was also said about the opening of passenger traffic from January 8 through the automobile checkpoints Pogranichny (Primorsky Territory) – Suifenhe and Kraskino (Primorsky Territory) – Hunchun. However, at present, crossing the border is possible with obtaining an appropriate visa. Despite the lack of clarity with the exact date of the resumption of visa-free travel exchange, travel agencies in Primorye already offer tours to the border cities of China. On January 20, TASS, citing the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism, reported that China would resume tourist trips for organized groups to Russia from February 6.

Alexey Chernyshev, Vladivostok