After more than three years of suspension due to the pandemic, China
has announced the resumption of 15-day visa-free entry for citizens of
Singapore and Brunei.
The Chinese embassies in both countries issued notices stating that
the visa-free entry would take effect from Wednesday, 26 July 2023.
This decision comes as a significant step towards reestablishing
travel and people-to-people exchanges between China and the two
Southeast Asian nations. The visa-free entry will be available to
citizens holding ordinary passports and will cover various purposes,
including business travel, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, and
transit.
Both Singapore and Brunei have welcomed the news with enthusiasm,
seeing the visa-free arrangement as a significant boost to their
bilateral cooperation with China. The much-awaited move will also
facilitate smoother people and business flows between the countries.
International travellers returning back to China will find it easier
to navigate the largely cashless society, as mobile payment providers
WeChat Pay and Alipay now allow travellers to link up their foreign credit cards, ensuring a smoother experience when making purchases for products and services.