Overview

• Malaysia and China have implemented a reciprocal visa-free travel program, effective from December 1, aiming to boost tourism between the two countries.
• Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced that Chinese and Indian visitors would be granted visa-free travel for up to 30 days, while Malaysians can stay in China for up to 15 days visa-free.
• Analysts suggest that while the move will likely increase the number of Chinese tourists to Malaysia, it may not directly benefit local tour operators due to competition from larger Chinese agencies that organize prearranged trips.
• China has also extended the visa-free policy to five other European countries - France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain - as part of a one-year trial.
• Despite the visa-free policy, potential issues for travelers include the inability to access everyday apps like Google in China, and the dominance of mobile payment methods in China that may not be accessible to foreign visitors.