BEIJING, May 31 — China has agreed to extend visa exemption for Malaysian tourists from 15 to 30 days, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He announced the matter today, during the 50th anniversary celebration of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China.
“During my meeting with Premier Li Qiang yesterday, one of the subjects raised was extending our Malaysian inbound tourists to China (visa exemption) from 15 to 30 days. Malaysia has opened the floodgates by giving Chinese tourists 30 days visa-free.
“I would like to announce that both sides have agreed, and the implementation is after the agreement has been signed,” Zahid said.
Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang was also present at the ceremony, which was held at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.
Yesterday, Malaysia’s Ambassador to China Datuk Norman Muhamad said Zahid had proposed the matter during his courtesy visit to Chinese Premier Li Qiang and received a positive response from China.
China has extended the visa-free policy for short-term visits to the republic for Malaysia and 11 other nations until the end of 2025. The extension aims to enhance exchanges between Chinese and foreign nationals.
In November last year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced a 30-day visa exemption for tourists from China and India starting December 1, 2023.
Meanwhile, commenting on the Malaysia-China 50th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations this year, Zahid believes both countries could work together to realise the respective concepts of Malaysia Madani and Community Shared Future (CSF) for the mutual benefit of their people.
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(from left to right) Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi shakes hands with Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, as part of his official visit to China, on May 31, 2024. — Picture by FACEBOOK/ZAHID HAMIDI[/caption]
“Malaysia Madani, which was introduced in January 2023, shares the same values and attributes as the CSF proposed by China’s President Xi Jinping in 2013, advocating innovation, care, compassion, inclusiveness as well as mutual respect,” he said.
Zahid added that Malaysia-China collaboration now extends beyond politics and economics to include education, culture, tourism and people-to-people exchanges, strengthening the bonds between both societies.
“However, there remains ample opportunity for both sides to consolidate further and expand the excellent ties,” he said.
The Deputy Prime Minister is on his first official visit to the republic from May 22 to tomorrow, at Xuexiang's invitation.
Meanwhile, in an interview with Bernama Radio, Zahid said Malaysia plans to increase the supply of professional labour to meet the needs of Chinese companies that wish to invest in the country.
To that end, Vocational Education and Training and Technical (TVET) for local people will be increased in line with the speed and sophistication of Chinese technological products, like the automotive and telecommunications industries.
"I see many opportunities, such as in the field of infrastructure and some other areas that we should explore, and since China is very interested in investing in Malaysia, it will not only open up job opportunities but also the sharing of new knowledge and technology to the country," he said.
Apart from that, cooperation with China will also be enhanced through the production of halal products including food, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics with the Halal Development Corporation Berhad (HDC) together with the Investment, Trade, and Industry Ministry will explore new markets in the country.
— Bernama
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People visit a market at the tourism site of Qianmen street, in Beijing, China, on March 14, 2023. — Picture by REUTERS[/caption]
