Overview
- Russian President Vladimir Putin said he is ready to work with Chinese President Xi Jinping to make the reciprocal visa‑free travel policy permanent after their meeting on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Bishkek.
- The measure began with a Putin decree on December 1, 2025 that allowed Chinese visitors 30‑day stays and was later extended by both sides through the end of 2027.
- Russian and Chinese officials point to big increases in travel since the policy began, with Russia reporting a 43% rise in tourist trips in the first half of 2026 and China’s ambassador citing almost a 50% jump in Chinese visitors in Q1 2026.
- Turning the temporary regime into a lasting policy will require a formal decision by Beijing plus bilateral legal and regulatory work to draft and approve permanent rules.
- Beyond tourism, leaders framed the proposal as part of deeper China‑Russia economic and political ties, a move that could boost cross‑border trade and people‑to‑people links if both sides complete the technical steps to implement it.