Putin noted the role of visa-free travel with China in establishing contacts between the two countries

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on May 19 that the mutual visa-free regime between Russia and China would help the two countries to actively develop business and tourism exchanges, as well as establish contacts between citizens.

"We welcome the introduction of a visa—free regime between our countries on a reciprocal basis," he said in a video message ahead of his visit to China.

Putin noted that Russia has great respect for China's centuries-old history, its achievements in culture, art and science. According to the Russian president, Moscow is interested in the peoples of the two countries becoming closer, better understanding each other and adopting all the good things from rich traditions and heritage.

Go beyond borders: Russia and China are interested in extending visa-free travel

Moscow will prepare proposals to Beijing in the second quarter of this year.

On May 16, the Kremlin announced that Putin would pay an official visit to China on May 19 and 20 at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping. This trip will be timed to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty on Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation, which is fundamental for bilateral relations.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on April 6 that Moscow and Beijing were continuing to coordinate the issue of extending the visa-free regime between the agencies.

On April 5, Chinese Ambassador to Moscow Zhang Hanhui said that it was desirable to extend the visa-free regime between Russia and China indefinitely. According to him, the current visa-free travel format has already provided citizens of both countries with a significant number of convenient conditions.