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China to Reintroduce 15-Day Visa-Free Entry for Citizens of Singapore and Brunei
In a significant development, China has announced its decision to reinstate the 15-day visa-free entry policy for citizens of Singapore and Brunei, effective from July 26. This comes after a three-year suspension of visas, which was a part of China's strict travel restrictions under its zero-Covid policy, a policy that concluded in December last year.
The embassies of both Singapore and Brunei have confirmed this news and expressed their enthusiasm for the resumption of visa-free entry. The move is expected to foster smoother people-to-people exchanges and bolster business flows between the two countries, paving the way for deeper bilateral cooperation.
Under the new policy, Singaporean citizens will be able to enter China without a visa for a duration of 15 days, provided their purpose of the visit includes business, tourism, family visits, or transit, as clarified by the Chinese embassy in Singapore. It is also important to note that previously issued visas to Singaporean citizens will remain valid, and pending visa requests will be duly processed.
The reinstatement of the visa-free entry policy holds great significance for both Singapore and China, as they have long maintained strong economic ties. The importance of bilateral relations has been highlighted through high-level meetings between leaders from both sides. Notably, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing in March, and Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong held discussions with Chinese Premier Li Qiang during his visit to Beijing in May.
The Singaporean Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed optimism about the policy reinstatement through a Facebook post, emphasizing the positive impact it will have on people and businesses in both nations. The news has been met with elation among citizens, with many expressing excitement about their future travel plans to China.
One such citizen, 54-year-old Wang Guoliang, shared his joy about the policy change. As his parents and relatives currently reside in China, he recounted the previous challenges of the time-consuming and costly visa application process. With the visa-free entry policy back in place, Wang and his family eagerly anticipate returning to China during the school holidays in December.
It is worth mentioning that travelers from several other countries already enjoy visa exemptions when visiting China for stays of less than 30 days. Among these countries are the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Maldives, and Fiji, where citizens need only apply for a visa if their visit exceeds a month or if they are traveling for work, study, or migration purposes.
Following the weekend announcement, airline stocks displayed mixed reactions. While Singapore Airlines witnessed a slight increase of 0.4% in their shares at the start of Monday's trading session, Cathay Pacific experienced a minor decline of 0.35%.
With the visa-free entry policy set to resume, travelers from Singapore and Brunei can look forward to smoother and more convenient journeys to China, further enhancing the relationship and exchanges between these nations. The move is expected to foster greater ease of travel and strengthen the already robust ties between China and its neighboring countries.
