The head of the Ministry of Economic Development pointed to the increase in the number of flights between Russia and China

The number of flights between Russia and China will continue to increase as business and humanitarian ties strengthen. This was announced on May 20 by the Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation Maxim Reshetnikov.

The head of the Ministry of Economic Development noted that the extension of the visa-free regime until the end of 2027 was a direct result of the agreements between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. According to the minister, this decision will give an impetus to the development of tourism, job creation and the growth of non-primary exports of services. Opportunities are opening up for Chinese businesses to participate in joint logistics projects, and the geography of safe holidays is expanding for Chinese citizens.

"Due to the cancellation of visa requirements, by the end of the first quarter of 2026, the mutual tourist flow increased by 50% compared to the same period last year. And the entry of only Chinese citizens to Russia has increased by almost a quarter, by 23%," he said.

Reshetnikov stressed that such dynamics provides real economic returns for thousands of small and medium-sized businesses in the fields of transport, trade and hospitality.

The minister also said that the growth of the indicators was facilitated by the promotion of the Discover Russia national brand in the Chinese market, including the creation of a website in the Chinese segment of the Internet and the adaptation of offers from Russian regions to the requests of the audience in Chinese social networks.

Currently, there are about 250 flights per week between the two countries. Reshetnikov confirmed that the frequency of flights will increase, as the long-term visa-free format allows businesses to plan investments and launch new interregional routes.

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On May 20, at a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Russian president said that Russia and China would continue the practice of visa-free travel for citizens of the two countries. According to him, this decision has become an additional incentive for increasing humanitarian contacts between the parties. China has decided to extend the visa-free regime for Russia until December 31, 2027. This initiative concerns business trips, tourism, visits to relatives and friends, exchange programs and transit.