Visa policy boosts ties with Russia

China's visa-free policy for Russian travelers has significantly boosted cross-border travel, cultural exchanges and economic cooperation between the two nations, experts said.

Since the trial visa-free policy for Russian citizens holding ordinary passports was implemented on Sept 15, 2025, exchanges have steadily grown. Over the past year, border inspection stations in Northeast China's Heilongjiang province have recorded 3.38 million inbound and outbound passenger trips, a year-on-year increase of 29.3 percent. Among them, Russian inbound entries reached approximately 617,000, surging 76.9 percent compared to the previous year.

At the port of entry in Suifenhe, bilingual broadcasts echo through the hall as a steady stream of Russian tourists arrive.

"In the past, traveling to Suifenhe required applying for a visa in advance, and I was always worried about incomplete documents," said Andrey Suvorov, a tourist from Vladivostok, Russia. "Now, with a passport in hand, I can just buy a ticket and go."

Thanks to biometric verification technology and smart inspection devices, border clearance procedures have been reduced to mere minutes.

This convenience has sparked a new trend of weekend cross-border tours. In the first half of 2026 alone, Suifenhe welcomed 1.7 million tourists, generating 1.87 billion yuan ($279 million) in tourism revenue. Notably, the port saw nearly 140,000 inbound and outbound foreign tourists, a massive 89.8 percent year-on-year surge.

The influx of visitors has also diversified local tourism. Suifenhe People's Hospital has established a dedicated reception room for Russian medical tourism, attracting many to experience traditional Chinese medicine treatments like acupuncture and moxibustion.

The policy dividend has also catalyzed consumption and trade. Russian tourists are expanding their purchases from traditional light consumer goods to a wider variety of products. Dima Vladimirov, another tourist from Vladivostok, visited a used-car export base in Suifenhe after entering visa-free. "It is extremely convenient to visit China now. Many of my friends drive Chinese cars, which are of great quality. I have already picked one out and am ready to buy it," Vladimirov said.

Overland goods transport has also played a part. By end-August, freight volume through Suifenhe port exceeded 1.1 million metric tons, up 9.78 percent year-on-year, hitting a record high.

To accommodate the passenger peak, Suifenhe has optimized its services by establishing bilingual windows, implementing a 24-hour Russian-language consumer rights protection platform, and introducing convenient measures such as ruble payments and tax refund shops. Average customs clearance time has shrunk to just two minutes.

Furthermore, the official opening of Heilongjiang University's Suifenhe campus in 2026 — offering majors like international trade and Russian translation — provides solid talent support for deepening bilateral cooperation.

Anton Bespalov, an expert at the Valdai Discussion Club in Russia, pointed out the broader impact of these changes.

"The most direct beneficiaries of the visa-free policy are independent travelers, and the facilitation of exchanges is expected to deepen mutual understanding and stimulate deeper people-to-people connections," Bespalov said.

Beyond border cities, Russian tourists are flocking to destinations across China. In Sanya, Hainan province, Russian visitors now account for over 40 percent of inbound tourists. Sanya's hotels saw Russian tourist numbers jump from approximately 170,000 in 2024 to 350,000 in 2025. Similarly, cities like Chengdu and Leshan in Southwest China's Sichuan province have emerged as new popular destinations.

renqi@chinadaily.com.cn