China to extend visa-free travel for Malaysians to 30 days

China is set to extend visa-free travel for Malaysian tourists from 15 to 30 days, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said on Friday.

Ahmad Zahid, who is on his first official visit to China, made the announcement during a lunch hosted by Chinese vice-premier Ding Xuexiang in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on Friday.

“I would like to announce that both countries have agreed to extend the visa-free travel to 30 days. The implementation will be signed at a later date,” he said in his speech.

Ahmad Zahid on Wednesday raised the matter during a courtesy call with Chinese Premier Li Qiang.

The meeting on Friday was in conjunction with the deputy prime minister’s first official visit to China from May 22 to June 1 at the invitation of Xuexiang.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also the minister of rural and regional development, arrived at 10am to hold a discussion with his counterpart for about an hour.

In their welcome speeches, Bernama reported, he and Xuexiang expressed their appreciation of the diplomatic relations established between Malaysia and China since May 31, 1974.

After the discussion session, Ahmad Zahid is scheduled to attend the celebration ceremony of the 50th anniversary of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations co-hosted by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the Malaysian embassy in Beijing.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also the National Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) committee chairman, was accompanied by Deputy Foreign Minister Mohamad Alamin and Malaysian ambassador to China Norman Muhamad.

Apart from that, he is scheduled to pay a courtesy call on State Councillor and Public Security Minister Wang Xiaohong in the Chinese capital on Friday.

Ahmad Zahid will also host the gala reception for the 50th anniversary of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations in the evening.

Earlier, a Malaysian foreign ministry statement said Ahmad Zahid’s official visit was to strengthen bilateral relations and is expected to explore opportunities for cooperation, especially in the field of education focusing on TVET, halal industry development as well as people-to-people exchanges.