China has resumed its 15-day visa-free entrance for citizens of two different countries, according to reports on Sunday.
Singapore and Brunei citizens will be able to enter China without a visa from July 26, according to their embassies.
The development comes as Beijing opens up to the globe after a tight travel control mechanism was implemented in the aftermath of the pandemic that devastated travel worldwide.
According to the Chinese embassy in Singapore, Singaporeans will be able to enter China without a visa for 15 days if they are there for business, tourism, family visits, or transit.
The embassy stated that visas given to Singaporeans will remain valid, and those that have been sought will be processed.
Singapore and China have traditionally had strong commercial connections, and leaders from both countries have recently met.
In March, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, and in May, Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong met Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Beijing.
In a social media statement, Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the restoration of visa-free access will facilitate people and business flows between our countries and pave the door for stronger bilateral collaboration.
Citizens of several countries already have visa exemptions if they visit China for less than 30 days.
The news comes only days after Singapore surpassed Japan to claim the title of holding the world’s most powerful passport, according to the Henley Passport Index.
Singapore passport holders have visa-free access to 192 of the world’s 227 destinations. Germany, Italy, and Spain came in second, with individuals having access to 190 global destinations.
Singapore, a thriving city-state in Southeast Asia, enchants with its modernity and cultural diversity, as well as its efficient infrastructure and high real estate prices. Visitors from all over the world come to see the iconic Marina Bay Sands, the scenic Gardens by the Bay, and the busy streets of Chinatown. Singapore entices visitors with its wonderful cuisine, world-class shopping, and a perfect combination of cultures, with a harmonic blend of history and innovation.
