Latest news with #VisaLiberalisationPlan
Borneo Post
26-04-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Visa-free extension heralds new era of Malaysia-China relations
Travellers are pictured at KLIA in Sepang on April 1, 2022. – Malay Mail photo KUALA LUMPUR (April 26): The extension of visa-free travel between Malaysia and China is a strategic move that not only reflects deepening bilateral ties but also promises to boost cross-sectoral cooperation in tourism, education, and business, experts said. The arrangement is expected to significantly enhance people-to-people connections, enabling deeper cultural exchange, understanding, and academic ties between the two nations. Universiti Malaya's Asia-Europe Institute (AEI) Deputy Executive Director, Associate Prof Dr Roy Anthony Rogers, said the mutual visa exemption will not only benefit both governments and businesses, but also pave the way for greater opportunities to strengthen people-to-people connections. 'The visa exemption will increase the flow of people, which is something we should encourage, because for the past 50 years, bilateral relations have been too focused on government-to-government engagement. 'It is time to promote second and third track diplomacy through this visa exemption,' he told Bernama. Echoing similar views, Chairman of the Centre for Regional Strategic Studies (CROSS), Lee Chean Chung, said the decision underscored the robust bilateral ties between the two nations, shaped by mutual trust and confidence. He said the initiative is poised to effectively promote economic growth across sectors such as tourism, academic collaboration, and healthcare tourism. 'This will allow a wider array of Chinese visitors to Malaysia, encompassing not only tourists but also parents accompanying students, and individuals seeking medical treatment. 'This extended stay supports longer staycations and short-term visits, potentially ranging from a couple of weeks to a month, which is undoubtedly positive news for Malaysia's tourism sector,' he told Bernama. 'When visits are short, interactions are limited. With more time, visitors can immerse themselves more deeply in the local culture and communities,' he added. Likewise, Lee said the agreement will also open opportunities for Malaysians to explore China more extensively. 'Previously, due to time constraints, many only visited coastal cities. Now, there's an opportunity to venture further inland and truly understand each other's cultures,' he said. During Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit here recently, Malaysia and China signed 31 Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs), notes, and cooperation agreements spanning various sectors. Among them was an agreement on mutual visa exemption for holders of public affairs and ordinary passports, exchanged between Malaysia's Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi. On April 22, Saifuddin announced that the Malaysia–China visa-free period would be extended for five years. Under the Visa Liberalisation Plan (PLV), Chinese nationals entering Malaysia as tourists may stay for up to 90 days visa-free, with China reciprocating the arrangement. – Bernama China tourism travel visa-free
New Straits Times
26-04-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Visa-free extension heralds new era of Malaysia-China relations
KUALA LUMPUR: The extension of visa-free travel between Malaysia and China is a strategic move that not only reflects deepening bilateral ties but also promises to boost cross-sectoral cooperation in tourism, education, and business, experts said. The arrangement is expected to significantly enhance people-to-people connections, enabling deeper cultural exchange, understanding, and academic ties between the two nations. Universiti Malaya's Asia-Europe Institute (AEI) Deputy Executive Director, Associate Prof Dr Roy Anthony Rogers, said the mutual visa exemption will not only benefit both governments and businesses, but also pave the way for greater opportunities to strengthen people-to-people connections. "The visa exemption will increase the flow of people, which is something we should encourage, because for the past 50 years, bilateral relations have been too focused on government-to-government engagement. "It is time to promote second and third track diplomacy through this visa exemption," he told Bernama. Echoing similar views, chairman of the Centre for Regional Strategic Studies (CROSS), Lee Chean Chung, said the decision underscored the robust bilateral ties between the two nations, shaped by mutual trust and confidence. He said the initiative is poised to effectively promote economic growth across sectors such as tourism, academic collaboration, and healthcare tourism. "This will allow a wider array of Chinese visitors to Malaysia, encompassing not only tourists but also parents accompanying students, and individuals seeking medical treatment. "This extended stay supports longer staycations and short-term visits, potentially ranging from a couple of weeks to a month, which is undoubtedly positive news for Malaysia's tourism sector," he told Bernama. "When visits are short, interactions are limited. With more time, visitors can immerse themselves more deeply in the local culture and communities," he said. Likewise, Lee said the agreement will also open opportunities for Malaysians to explore China more extensively. "Previously, due to time constraints, many only visited coastal cities. Now, there's an opportunity to venture further inland and truly understand each other's cultures," he said. During Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit here recently, Malaysia and China signed 31 Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs), notes, and cooperation agreements spanning various sectors. Among them was an agreement on mutual visa exemption for holders of public affairs and ordinary passports, exchanged between Malaysia's Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi. On April 22, Saifuddin announced that the Malaysia–China visa-free period would be extended for five years. Under the Visa Liberalisation Plan (PLV), Chinese nationals entering Malaysia as tourists may stay for up to 90 days visa-free, with China reciprocating the arrangement. – Bernama
Malaysiakini
22-04-2025
- Business
- Malaysiakini
Visa exemption for Chinese visitors extended 5 years
The Visa Liberalisation Plan for Chinese visitors has been extended for another five years, as the initiative has shown immediate positive impact on the country's economy, said Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. He said the decision to extend was part of a series of memoranda of understanding and documents signed during Chinese President Xi Jinping's recent state visit to Malaysia, covering various sectors of cooperation. Among them was a joint visa exemption agreement for...
The Sun
22-04-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Visa exemption extended for five years to boost economy
PUTRAJAYA: The Visa Liberalisation Plan (PLV) for Chinese visitors has been extended for another five years, as the initiative has shown immediate positive impact on the country's economy, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. He said the decision to extend the PLV was part of a series of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and documents signed during Chinese President Xi Jinping's recent state visit to Malaysia, covering various sectors of cooperation. Among them was a joint visa exemption agreement for holders of public affairs and ordinary passports, signed by Saifuddin Nasution and China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi. 'We will extend it for the next five years, and after that, there will be an option to renew it for another five years - allowing Chinese nationals to stay in our country for up to 90 days as tourists. 'And China will reciprocate with the same arrangement for us,' he told reporters after the Home Ministry's monthly assembly here today. The Visa Liberalisation Plan is designed to boost national income and will be implemented by enhancing existing immigration facilities available to travellers from various regions, including Europe, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and West Asia. China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said the joint visa exemption agreement will deepen exchanges and cooperation, further advancing the China-Malaysia community with a shared future. Saifuddin Nasution said the arrangement has already shown positive results, with tourist arrivals from China on the rise. According to data from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Chinese tourists spend an average of RM7,000 during their stay in Malaysia. 'So when we look at the arrival numbers, it's clear that this is a formula with immediate economic benefits and a significant impact,' he said. As of April this year, Malaysia has recorded close to 900,000 tourist arrivals from China, Saifuddin Nasution noted, adding that more than four million Chinese tourists visited the country last year. He stressed that the tourism aspect is an important component of the country's economic contributors because it has an immediate impact compared to investments. In another development, Saifuddin Nasution also launched the Investigation and Complaints Management System (SPEAKS), which aims to make it easier for the public to lodge complaints against members of the Royal Malaysia Police. 'Anyone wishing to file a complaint against police enforcement personnel can now do so through the SPEAKS platform, provided they include complete details such as the time, location, individuals involved, and the nature of the incident,' he said. He added that SPEAKS facilitates the public in submitting complaints to the Independent Police Conduct Commission (IPCC), enabling prompt and appropriate follow-up actions to be taken. Regarding MyDigital ID, Saifuddin Nasution, who also chairs the Cabinet Committee on MyDigital ID, said the ministry will table amendments to the National Registration Act to support the legal framework for its use. 'Our task is to present these amendments in Parliament to ensure the application, use, and transactions involving Digital ID are recognised as legally valid,' he said. He added that the National Registration Department (NRD) has been appointed the lead agency for MyDigital ID pre-registration, aimed at boosting digital ID enrolment nationwide. MyDigital ID, introduced in 2016, is a government initiative designed to provide secure and legally recognised digital identity verification for online users.
Barnama
22-04-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Visa Exemption Extended For Five Years To Boost Economy
PUTRAJAYA, April 22 (Bernama) -- The Visa Liberalisation Plan (PLV) for Chinese visitors has been extended for another five years, as the initiative has shown immediate positive impact on the country's economy, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. He said the decision to extend the PLV was part of a series of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and documents signed during Chinese President Xi Jinping's recent state visit to Malaysia, covering various sectors of cooperation. Among them was a joint visa exemption agreement for holders of public affairs and ordinary passports, signed by Saifuddin Nasution and China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi. 'We will extend it for the next five years, and after that, there will be an option to renew it for another five years - allowing Chinese nationals to stay in our country for up to 90 days as tourists. 'And China will reciprocate with the same arrangement for us,' he told reporters after the Home Ministry's monthly assembly here today. The Visa Liberalisation Plan is designed to boost national income and will be implemented by enhancing existing immigration facilities available to travellers from various regions, including Europe, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and West Asia. China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said the joint visa exemption agreement will deepen exchanges and cooperation, further advancing the China-Malaysia community with a shared future. Saifuddin Nasution said the arrangement has already shown positive results, with tourist arrivals from China on the rise. According to data from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Chinese tourists spend an average of RM7,000 during their stay in Malaysia. 'So when we look at the arrival numbers, it's clear that this is a formula with immediate economic benefits and a significant impact,' he said.
