logo
Visa-Free China: GCC Nationals Can Now Visit with Ease

Visa-Free China: GCC Nationals Can Now Visit with Ease

Arab Times5 days ago

KUWAIT CITY, May 28: China will implement a visa-free policy for ordinary passport holders from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain from June 9, 2025, to June 8, 2026, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Wednesday.
Ordinary passport holders from the four countries can be exempted from requiring visas to enter China and stay for up to 30 days for business, tourism, family visits, exchanges, and transit purposes.
Together with the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, which were granted visa exemptions in 2018, this extends full visa-free coverage for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, according to Mao.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Serbia protesting students rally to mark 7 months since train station tragedy
Serbia protesting students rally to mark 7 months since train station tragedy

Arab Times

time3 hours ago

  • Arab Times

Serbia protesting students rally to mark 7 months since train station tragedy

BELGRADE, Serbia, June 2, (AP): Thousands of people on Sunday vowed to keep on fighting for justice and rule of law in Serbia as they demanded that President Aleksandar Vucic call a snap parliamentary election following months of persistent demonstrations that have challenged his firm grip on power in the Balkan country. Protesters led by university students blocked bridges in the capital Belgrade and rallied in 30 other Serbian cities and towns as they also marked exactly seven months since a concrete canopy collapsed at a train station in the north, killing 16 people and sparking the massive wave of anti-corruption protests. "The whole of Serbia has risen,' protesting students said in a speech that was read at all the rallies at the same time. "There will be no more silence, there will be no more surrender!' Many people in Serbia believe that the deadly Nov. 1 canopy collapse in Novi Sad was the result of flawed renovation work on the station building, and they link the disaster to alleged government corruption in major infrastructure projects with Chinese state companies. Vucic, whom critics have accused of imposing authoritarian rule in Serbia since coming to power over a decade ago, initially dismissed the possibility of holding early elections but on Friday suggested they could take place, though without saying exactly when. Sunday's protests included commemoration ceremonies for the victims of the Novi Sad crash and student marches and blockades. In Belgrade, crowds halted traffic at two key bridges over the Sava River for three hours, while protesters in Novi Sad carried a white wreath for the canopy collapse victims as they walked toward the crash site. Mina Miletic, from Belgrade, said she is encouraged by so many people fighting together for the same goal: "The rule of law and life in a decent country.' Vucic has accused the protesters of working for unspecified Western powers to "destroy Serbia.' Pro-government media on Sunday described the blockades in Belgrade as "terror' and alleged falsely that "only a handful' of people joined the rallies. Most media in Serbia are controlled by the ruling populists, often lashing out at government opponents and accusing them of anti-state activities.

Kuwait moves to align tax, investment policies with Qatar, Saudi Arabia
Kuwait moves to align tax, investment policies with Qatar, Saudi Arabia

Kuwait Times

time8 hours ago

  • Kuwait Times

Kuwait moves to align tax, investment policies with Qatar, Saudi Arabia

KUWAIT: The Kuwaiti Ministry of Finance signed two separate agreements on Sunday with its counterparts in Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The agreements aim to support regional financial cooperation and enhance economic integration among Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Minister of Finance and Minister of State for Economic Affairs and Investment, Noura Al-Fassam, affirmed in a press statement following the signings that the ministry is committed to strengthening economic collaboration within the GCC and providing all necessary means to achieve deeper economic integration among member states. Minister Al-Fassam represented Kuwait in the signing ceremonies. Representing Saudi Arabia was Minister of Finance Mohammed Al-Jadaan. The agreement with Saudi Arabia focuses on coordination on financial issues at both regional and international levels, and includes areas such as the development of financial policies, legislation, and regulatory frameworks to serve mutual interests. The Qatari side was represented by Minister of Finance Ali Al-Kuwari. The agreement with Qatar addresses the avoidance of double taxation and prevention of tax evasion. It also aims to facilitate investments, enhance capital flows, and align tax policies between the two countries. Additionally, the agreement includes provisions for tax exemptions and reductions on profits and interest, offers preferential treatment for government investment entities, and outlines mechanisms for the mutual settlement of future tax disputes between the two brotherly nations. — KUNA

Defense minister represents Kuwait in Shangri-La Dialogue
Defense minister represents Kuwait in Shangri-La Dialogue

Kuwait Times

timea day ago

  • Kuwait Times

Defense minister represents Kuwait in Shangri-La Dialogue

US affirms GCC countries remain top allies at major Asian security summit SINGAPORE: US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth affirmed on Saturday that the Gulf states are among the United States' allies, stressing that the 'America First' policy does not mean 'America alone,' but rather working alongside allies—including the Gulf countries—to achieve shared security. His remarks came during a speech at the opening session of the 22nd edition of the Asian Security Summit held within the framework of the Shangri-La Dialogue, attended by Kuwaiti Minister of Defense Sheikh Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al-Sabah, along with defense ministers, military leaders, and security experts from 47 countries. Hegseth stated, 'As I've said many times before, and it's important for this room to hear today, and all the world — America First certainly does not mean America alone. Especially alongside so many of our allies, model allies like Poland, (the Zionist entity), and the Gulf States, the Baltic States. And it does not mean ignoring the world. ' Sheikh Abdullah holds a conversation with Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. SINGAPORE: Kuwaiti Minister of Defense Sheikh Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al-Sabah participated in the the 22nd edition of the Asian Security Summit held in Singapore. High-level meetings In a statement released Saturday, Sheikh Abdullah said that the first day of the summit featured a series of meetings between heads of state, government officials, and defense ministers. During this, he met with Zaqy Mohamad, Singapore's Senior Minister of State for Defense and for Sustainability and the Environment. The ministry added that the meeting explored ways to strengthen cooperation between the two countries, particularly in military and security affairs. The two sides also discussed several topics of mutual interest, as well as regional and international issues. During the meeting, Sheikh Abdullah extended congratulations on the occasion of Singapore's 60th anniversary of independence and praised the deep and longstanding bilateral relationship, which began 40 years ago. He affirmed the strength of Kuwait-Singapore relations and the importance of expanding cooperation, especially in defense and security sectors. On the sidelines of the summit, Sheikh Abdullah also held cordial conversations and bilateral discussions with several world leaders and senior defense officials. He met with French President Emmanuel Macron, President of Timor-Leste José Ramos-Horta, Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and Singaporean Minister for Communications and Information and Minister-in-charge of Cybersecurity Josephine Teo. These meetings included exchanges of views on strategic challenges at regional and international levels and ways to enhance joint efforts to support global peace and stability. The agenda of the Shangri-La Dialogue includes discussions on global challenges such as maintaining balance in a competitive world, managing nuclear proliferation risks, and cybersecurity. Parallel sessions will also cover topics like defense innovation, maritime security, and managing regional crises. Kuwait's Ambassador to Singapore, Ahmad Al-Shuraim, and the accompanying delegation attended the meetings alongside Minister Sheikh Abdullah. — Agencies

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store