Putin Tells Xi Visa-Free Travel Pact Boosted Russia-China Tourism by 43%
Putin informed Xi that the 30-day visa-free regime between Russia and China boosted tourist traffic by 43% in the first half of the year.
Russian President Vladimir Putin told Chinese President Xi Jinping that the 30-day visa-free travel arrangement between their countries has led to a significant surge in tourism. Speaking on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Putin noted that tourist traffic jumped by 43% in the first half of the year.
Putin credited Xi for initiating the scheme a year ago during their meeting in Beijing. He expressed readiness to work towards making the visa-free regime permanent, contingent on the Chinese side finding it feasible and beneficial. The current arrangement is set to remain in effect until the end of the year.
In response, Xi highlighted the SCO's vital role in maintaining regional stability and fostering development. He looked forward to the upcoming summit deliberations with Putin and other heads of state to chart the organization's future course and ensure its steady progress.
The SCO, which includes India, Iran, and Turkey among its members, is often viewed as a counterweight to U.S. global influence. Putin was also scheduled to meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during the summit.