Malaysia and China have agreed to extend their visa-free travel agreement for another five years. The decision was made during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s recent visit to Malaysia. Under the agreement, tourists from China can stay in Malaysia for up to 90 days. China will offer the same terms to Malaysian tourists.
Boosting Tourism and Economy
Experts say this move will likely benefit Malaysia’s economy. Tourism is a significant contributor to the country’s growth. In the first four months of this year, nearly 900,000 Chinese tourists visited Malaysia. Last year, the total number was around 4 million.
The visa-free travel agreement is one of 31 Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) signed during President Xi’s visit. Malaysia’s Home Minister, Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, said the agreement can be extended for another five years after it expires.
Regional Diplomacy
President Xi’s visit to Malaysia was part of a broader Southeast Asia tour. He also visited Vietnam and Cambodia between April 14 and 18. The trip highlights China’s efforts to strengthen ties with regional countries.
The source of this information is Channel News Asia.