Russia urges citizens to strictly follow China’s rules under new visa-free regime

Russians should remember the need to strictly adhere to the purposes of their trips to China and comply with the country’s laws, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said.

Zakharova made the remarks at a briefing on September 4, commenting on the introduction of a visa-free regime, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

“We would like to immediately urge our compatriots to strictly observe the legislation of the People’s Republic of China, including fully complying with the allowed purposes of stay under the visa-free entry categories,” she said on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF).

The diplomat noted that these purposes include business trips, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, reciprocal visits, and transit.

Zakharova added that employment or study in China, as well as official business trips—including for media representatives—are not covered by the new regime.

She also emphasised that China retains the sovereign right to deny entry at border checkpoints, and competent authorities are not obliged to explain the reasons for such a decision.

By Khagan Isayev