China&Thailand agree multual Visa Waivers from March 1

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, left, and Thailand Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, pose for the camera at the signing ceremony in Bangkok on Jan.28. (Photo by Hiroki Endo)

The mutual visa exemption takes effect on March 1.Passport holders from both countries will be able to enter and stay for up to 30 days without visas.The exemption will take effect after the Lunar New Year holiday in February, a peak period for outbound Chinese travel, but in time for Thailand's Songkran festival in April.

The agreement was signed during a visit by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Thailand.

On Sunday, Wang promised a "big increase in the number of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand" after the visa exemption.

Wang said the two sides should "oppose zero-sum, win-or-lose political games" amid a "turbulent international environment." Thailand has maintained its neutrality in geopolitical tensions, particularly between China and the U.S.

Thailand is counting on tourists from China to reach its target of at least 30 million arrivals in 2024 after a lackluster rebound of Chinese travel last year. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, China comprised about a quarter of Thailand's 40 million tourists.

China and Thailand agreed to hold consultations between their foreign ministers at least once a year, Parnpree said.

The two countries also signed agreements on poultry exports from Thailand, with China pledging to import specialty agricultural exports and support Chinese companies investing in Thailand, as well as cooperation on electric vehicles, digital economy and green technology.

Graphics: China enjoys mutual visa exemption with 157 countries
China and Singapore signed on Thursday an agreement on a 30-day mutual visa exemption for ordinary passport holders from the two sides to travel, visit families and do business, which will take effect on February 9, the Chinese Lunar New Year's Eve.

In December, China and Malaysia granted visa-free entry to each other's citizens.

China has concluded mutual visa exemption agreements covering different types of passports with 157 countries, reached agreements or arrangements on simplified visa procedures with 44 countries and enjoyed comprehensive mutual visa exemption with 22 countries, including Singapore, the Maldives and Kazakhstan.

More than 60 countries and regions currently give Chinese citizens visa-free access or visas on arrival. The convenience of Chinese citizens traveling abroad has been greatly improved.

Source: By FRANCESCA REGALADO, Nikkei staff writer, https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Travel-Leisure/Thailand-and-China-agree-mutual-visa-waivers-from-March-1;https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-01-26/Graphics-China-enjoys-mutual-visa-exemption-with-157-countries-1qGkAWlDn3i/p.html