SHANGHAI, Sept 8 – The extension of the tourist visa exemption period for Malaysians to travel to China, from 15 to 30 days, is one of the matters to be discussed during Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s working visit to the country, starting Sunday.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail revealed that they will also discuss extending the visa-free exemption period’s end date, from Dec 31, 2025, to Dec 31, 2026.
He said that the matters are expected to be raised in Ahmad Zahid’s meeting with China’s State Councillor and Public Security Minister Wang Xiaohong at the closed session of the 2024 Conference of the Global Public Security Cooperation From Lianyungang (GPSCFL), here, tomorrow.
“Our stance is that by offering Chinese citizens a 30-day visa-free stay to boost the tourism industry… Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi discussed before that China should reciprocate, because currently, China gives us (Malaysian tourists) only 15 days without a visa.
“In the closed discussion tomorrow, we will raise the matter again. At the official-level discussion, China has shown a positive reaction, but it has not yet become a decision. The positive aspect is their readiness to engage in discussion,” he said at a session with the Malaysian media.
Ahmad Zahid’s visit to China, from today until Sept 12, is in conjunction with the Global Public Security Cooperation Forum Lianyungang (GPSCFL), held in Lianyungang City, Jiangsu Province, on Sept 8 and 9. The visit comes at the joint invitation of GPSCFL chairman Tsang Wai-Hung, and China Association for Friendship president Chen Zinmin.
Saifuddin Nasution also highlighted that Malaysia will focus on cross-border crime issues, such as human trafficking and cybercrime, at the forum.
