Majority of Russians willing to visit China, support visa-free regime

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
26 Sep 2023 20:32

A study found that 74% of respondents expressed support for implementing a visa-free regime with China.

The Juyongguan section of the Great Wall is seen on a hillside ahead of the 2022 Winter Olympics, on Monday, Jan. 31, 2022, on the outskirts of Beijing (AP)

A recent survey conducted by Russian bank Otkritie and the Rosgosstrakh Zhizn insurance company revealed that more than 70% of Russians who were polled have not visited China but express a willingness to do so. Additionally, three-quarters of the respondents expressed support for a visa-free regime with China.

"About 72% of Russians have never been to China and would like to visit the country. Another 19% have never been there and do not want to. Approximately 6% have been to China and would like to travel there again, and 3% have visited China and do not want to go there again," the poll said.

According to the poll conducted in Russia from September 14 to 21 among 1,600 people aged 18 to 65, 74% of respondents expressed support for implementing a visa-free regime with China.

Meanwhile, 13% were against this initiative, and another 13% found it challenging to provide a clear answer.

On August 1st, the Russian Ministry of Economic Development announced that it had initiated group tourist excursions in accordance with the visa-free tourist exchange agreement with China.

This arrangement permits organized tourist groups, comprising five to fifty individuals, to travel to the respective country without the need for a visa and allows them to stay for a maximum of 15 days.

It's worth noting that Russia and China initially signed an agreement on limited visa-free travel for tourist groups in 2000, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, efforts to expand and streamline travel between the two nations were temporarily halted.