China and Malaysia have officially signed a mutual visa exemption agreement, allowing holders of ordinary and diplomatic passports from both countries to travel visa-free. The agreement was signed during Chinese President Xi Jinping's recent state visit to Malaysia, marking a new milestone in bilateral ties.
At a regular press briefing on April 17, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian emphasized the long-standing friendship between China and Malaysia, describing the two countries as "partners with shared values, integrated interests, and deep cultural connections."
"This agreement will further facilitate people-to-people exchanges and cooperation across all sectors. It's an important step forward in building a China-Malaysia community with a shared future," said Lin.
China's Visa-Free Policies Fueling Travel Boom
In a related development, China's National Immigration Administration released Q1 statistics on April 15, indicating a significant surge in inbound travel since expanding its 144-hour transit visa exemption policy (equivalent to 240 hours or 10 days) in December 2023.
From December 17, 2023, to March 31, 2025, 6.57 million foreign visitors entered China visa-free, accounting for over 70% of total inbound travelers during that period.
Overall, 9.215 million foreign entries were recorded in Q1 2025—a 40.2% increase year-on-year.
Spokesperson Lin Yongsheng noted that the expanded policy now covers 60 ports of entry across 24 provinces, up from 39 ports in 19 provinces. It also allows cross-regional travel, giving tourists more flexibility and travel options.
The policy has sparked a wave of short-term and in-depth tourism, with nearly 60% of foreign visitors choosing multi-city or cross-province trips. Popular destinations such as Huangshan, Wuyishan, and Zhangjiajie have seen visitor numbers from abroad jump 21.6% year-on-year.
"From quick weekend getaways to immersive cross-city tours, China's 'visa-free travel' is becoming a global trend," Lin added.
Air traffic has also seen a lift, with over 100,000 inbound passenger flights recorded during the period, marking a near 10% month-on-month increase.
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