Putin: We will respond to China's visa-free policy with a vengeance

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia would grant similar visa-free entry to Chinese citizens in response to China's visa-free regime for Russian citizens. Putin made the announcement during a meeting with Li Hongzhong, a member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, as part of the Eastern Economic Forum. He expressed his gratitude to the Chinese government and President Xi Jinping.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun previously announced on Tuesday that China would implement a 30-day visa-free regime for Russian citizens on a one-year trial basis, starting September 15. Putin stated that Russia would reciprocate this "friendly step," but did not provide technical details or a timeframe for the implementation.

Both sides welcomed the visa-free regime, expecting it to strengthen human mobility, tourism, and trade relations between the two countries. The official implementation of the regime and details regarding its conditions are expected to be announced later.