Good News! Malaysia and China may extend visa-free visits
Malaysia’s Consul General in Hong Kong, Kim San Lee, said China and Malaysia may extend the visa-free policy for mutual visits, while the agreement on the export of durian fresh fruit to China has also entered the final stage of negotiation, and has not ruled out that it can be completed this year.
In an interview with the South China Morning Post, Kishanli pointed out that the two governments are “sorting out some details” of the agreement to export fresh durian to China, and did not rule out an agreement within this year or so.
“We are looking forward to approval as soon as possible, the complex negotiations are in the final stages and we hope to hear good news soon.”
Currently, Thai durians account for about two-thirds of the Chinese market, with China importing 1.4 million tons last year, or more than 90 percent of the global total. Most of the rest comes from Vietnam and a small portion from the Philippines. Malaysia is currently only able to export frozen durians to China.
Toshiya Kiyama revealed that Malaysia’s cuisine, low prices and the presence of Chinese-speaking multinationals have attracted Chinese tourists since December last year, when the country offered 30-day visa-free entry to Chinese.
China, in turn, has been offering 15 days of visa-free entry to Malaysian citizens at the same time; however, the two countries’ mutual visa waiver program is set to end this December, and both sides have yet to decide whether to extend it.
“We will wait and see, both sides are still in negotiations. It may be possible to extend it beyond 2024, but it’s too early to tell.”
