The extended mutual visa exemption between China and Russia will facilitate people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, further enhance the friendship between the peoples, and promote exchanges and cooperation in various fields, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian at a regular briefing in Beijing on Tuesday.
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on Monday extending visa-free entry for Chinese citizens through Dec 31, 2027.
China announced in May that it would extend visa-free entry for Russian citizens through Dec 31, 2027, as part of the efforts to facilitate people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
China-Russia extended mutual visa exemption facilitates people-to-people exchanges: spokesman
A China Coast Guard (CCG) spokesman announced that, out of humanitarian considerations, Chinese authorities on Tuesday morning permitted the transfer of injured personnel from a Philippine vessel that was illegally "grounded" at China's Ren'ai Jiao in the South China Sea.
Jiang Lue, spokesman for the CCG, said the transfer, under the monitoring of the Chinese side, was conducted via a small boat of a Philippine vessel.
The transfer came a day after Philippine personnel from the illegally grounded Philippine ship LT-57 carried out a malicious provocation, attacking a CCG patrol boat with oars, poles and other tools and injuring a CCG officer's right arm. The CCG responded with maximum restraint, taking lawful measures to stabilize the situation.
The CCG will continue to carry out law-enforcement activities to safeguard China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests at Ren'ai Jiao and its surrounding waters in accordance with the law, the spokesman added.
China permits injured Philippine personnel transfer from illegally grounded vessel
