Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on Monday extending visa-free entry for Chinese citizens through Dec 31, 2027.
The current policy stipulates that Chinese citizens holding ordinary passports can enter Russia visa-free for purposes of family visits, business, tourism, or participating in scientific, cultural, socio-political, economic, or sports activities. Transit through Russia also does not require a visa. Each stay may not exceed 30 days.
China announced in May that it would extend visa-free entry for Russian citizens through Dec 31, 2027, as part of efforts to facilitate people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
Russia extends visa-free entry for Chinese nationals
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
