Visa-free extension for Chinese visitors a boost for bilateral growth

PETALING JAYA: Extending the duration of visa-free entry to Chinese visitors will greatly boost Malaysia-China commercial, tourism, cultural and intellectual connections, a move that will benefit governments, businesses and the people, says MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

“We eagerly anticipate deeper engagements and partnerships with Chinese dignitaries, officials, business figures and academicians to jointly forge a thriving future,” he said of the prospect of an extension.

Reflecting on the rich historical tapestry of bilateral relations, Dr Wee paid tribute to efforts of figures like MCA’s Tun Michael Chen, who, 50 years ago, had leveraged “ping-pong diplomacy” to normalise ties with China.

In the area of commerce, he noted that China has consistently been Malaysia’s top trading partner for the past 15 years, exhibiting robust growth since 2009.

Despite the hurdles brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic, trade between the two countries prospered, maintaining an average of RM435.3bil in annual trade from 2020 to 2023, which marks a 9.2% growth rate each year, he added.

“Initiatives such as the Johor Baru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link and the China-Malaysia Qinzhou Industrial Park signify the potential for further economic collaboration,” Dr Wee remarked in a Facebook post.

He also underscored the dynamic people-to-people connections, citing growth in Chinese tourist arrivals in Malaysia and the increasing pursuit of academic endeavours in China by Malaysian students.

Dr Wee said the Chinese government’s move to grant Malaysian citizens visa-free entry till the end of 2025 has been hailed as a significant enhancement to these exchanges.

“By reciprocating visa-free entry for Chinese tourists, Malaysia can surely strengthen the bonds of cooperation in commerce, tourism, culture and scholarship, ultimately benefiting our governments, businesses and citizens,” he said.

Dr Wee also extended wishes and congratulations to Malaysia and China on the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties.

“Our friendship has stood the test of time, rooted in deep historical significance,” he said.

In November last year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that tourists from China and India would be granted a 30-day visa waiver starting from Dec 1 of the same year.The announcement followed China’s decision to extend visa-free travel benefits to six European countries and Malaysia until Nov 30, 2024.

Subsequently, China expanded its visa-free policy for short-term tourist stays for Malaysia and an additional 11 countries, extending the policy until the close of 2025.