The Wisma Putra, Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has commended the reciprocal visa exemption agreements between Malaysia and China for their role in enhancing cooperation in education, tourism, as well as youth and sports exchange activities.
In a joint statement issued with China during Chinese President Xi’s visit, the ministry stated that the agreements placed emphasis on people-to-people relations, heralding increased mutual travel and cultural exchanges.
On Wednesday (April 16), Malaysia and China inked 31 memoranda of understanding (MOUs), notes, and cooperation agreements, with the mutual visa exemption for travelers between the two countries being the highlight.
Currently, Malaysians can travel to China without a visa until December 31 of this year, while Chinese citizens enjoy visa-free travel to Malaysia until December 31 of next year.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a press briefing in Beijing on Thursday that the mutual visa exemption agreement signed between China and Malaysia will further strengthen people-to-people exchanges and cooperation across various sectors in the two countries.
“China and Malaysia have a long history of friendship, share similar outlooks, have intertwined interests, and maintain close cultural and people-to-people ties. During President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Malaysia, the two governments officially signed the agreement on mutual visa exemption for holders of official and ordinary passports. This step will surely boost personnel exchanges between the two countries, as well as bilateral interactions and cooperation in various fields, and elevate the building of a China-Malaysia community with a shared future to new levels.”
