SHANGHAI: The extension of the visa-free length of stay for Malaysians visiting China are among key issues to be discussed at a meeting between the two countries, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (pic).
The Home Minister said the meeting between Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and China’s Minister of Public Security Minister Wong Xiaohong is expected to take place on Monday (Sept 9).
“Malaysia had earlier proposed for China to reciprocate by extending the visa-free stay for visiting Malaysians from 15 days to 30.
“We will bring up this matter again at the meeting,” he said to Malaysian reporters in China on Sunday (Sept 8).
The Deputy Prime Minister will be attending the Global Public Security Cooperation Forum in Lianyungang City, Jiangsu Province.
The international forum, a Chinese initiative, started in 2015 as a platform for dialogue and global cooperation with “cooperative security for common prosperity” as its core value.
Saifuddin said Malaysia, which had agreed to extend the visa exemption facility until the end of 2026, said he hoped China would consider the matter.
“While no decision has been made, I am informed that discussions at officer level has shown a positive reaction,” he said.
During a visit by Chinese Premier Li Qiang to Malaysia in June, it was announced that China had agreed to extend its visa exemption facility for Malaysian citizens until the end of 2025 while Malaysia would extend the visa exemption for Chinese citizens until the end of 2026.
Malaysia grants 30 days visa exemption for Chinese and Indian citizens visiting the country through the Visa Liberalisation Plan, which came into effect on Dec 1 2023.
