Singapore and China have jointly announced plans to institute a 30-day mutual visa exemption, set to take effect in early 2024.
“Both countries will collaborate on finalising the implementation details of the mutual 30-day visa exemption arrangement and aim to put it into effect in early 2024,” a statement issued by the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
A look at mutual visa exemption and China-Singapore ties
During his ongoing visit to Beijing and Tianjin, Lawrence Wong, the Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister of Singapore, emphasised the growing personnel exchanges between Singapore and China, with flight frequencies gradually returning to pre-pandemic levels.
“The 30-day mutual visa exemption arrangement between our two countries will also support such progress, promoting more personnel exchanges and strengthening the cornerstone of bilateral relations,” stated Wong.
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In July 2023, China reinstated a 15-day visa-free entry for Singapore citizens, a privilege suspended for three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Beijing expressed eagerness for the agreement to become reciprocal, according to a Reuters report.
In Singapore, where among the 4 million citizens and permanent residents, three-quarters belong to the Chinese ethnicity and a significant portion are Mandarin speakers, mainland Chinese visitors find navigation notably convenient. In recent months, both nations have implemented additional initiatives to strengthen ties and restore tourism to pre-pandemic levels.
The People’s Bank of China and Singapore’s central bank have additionally announced a pilot program to enable the use of the e-CNY digital currency for tourism spending.
(Feature image credit: Phil Mosley/Unsplash)
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