China's introduction of a visa-free policy for Russian ordinary passport holders is expected to further boost cross-border tourism and enhance people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
This new measure, effective from September 15, 2025 to September 14, 2026, allows Russian citizens holding ordinary passports to enter China visa-free for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, exchange visits, or transit for no more than 30 days. The move has also prompted Russia to announce its intention to reciprocate.
Russian travel agencies have recently reported an increase in inquiries from people interested in traveling to China.
"Since the first day of the announcement of the visa regime liberalization, the number of calls has increased. Tourists are interested in the cost of tours to China, but the number of bookings is yet to increase," said Natalia, head of Intourist sales office.
She explained that air transportation costs are relatively high, as currently only Aeroflot offers direct flights. If more charter flights were available, tourists could travel more frequently.
The number of Russians traveling to China has already increased by 30 percent compared with last year, reaching a million trips in the first half of 2025, and that figure is expected to grow further.
For some, the visa-free regime offers more options when making travel plans.
"I am making a gift for my spouse -- I will buy everything for her birthday and all her dreams will come true on that day. We will not need to get a visa, and that gift will be a great surprise," said Spartak, a local resident.
For others, it opens up new opportunities.
"That’s all wonderful. The more people get acquainted with each other, learn about each other’s cultures and so on, the more it contributes to friendship," said Lilia, a local woman.
Russia has pledged to introduce a similar visa-free regime for Chinese citizens and to further open its doors to international visitors.
"Thanks to Putin’s announcement that we will also open visa free entry, the interest of many Chinese in trips to Russia is already growing. And this instrument of soft power is working. The demand for Russia is growing. And that will translate into real trips," said Alexander Lvov, head of the “World Without Borders” Tourism Association.
Industry insiders say Russian tourism infrastructure will adjust to meet the growing demand. They note that Chinese tourists often prefer to travel beyond Moscow and St. Petersburg, to places like Murmansk, Lake Baikal and Russia’s Far East region.
China's visa-free policy for Russia to further boost cross-border tourism
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
