China has elevated its status by having a monopoly in the world economy. While Singapore is becoming a trade hub. According to Reuters, China and Singapore are looking to create a reciprocal 30-day visa-free travel agreement in order to increase people-to-people relations.
China & Singapore To Establish A Mutual 30-Day Visa-Free Travel Arrangement
On December 7, 2023, during the 19th Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation in Tianjin, Deputy PM Lawrence Wong made the announcement. He claims that traveller flow between Singapore and China has improved. And that flight patterns between the two markets have nearly returned to pre-pandemic levels.
This objective forms the basis of the improved bilateral relationship. It is to be supported by the new 30-day visa-free travel policy. As of this writing, no additional information has been made public about the new arrangement’s eligibility, requirements, or application process.
Singapore and China currently enjoy a 15-day visa-free travel period not the other way around. Singaporean nationals with a valid ordinary passport are allowed to enter China for up to 15 days without a visa if they are travelling for business, tourism, visiting family and friends, or transiting to another nation. When China implemented travel restrictions during the pandemic, this 15-day visa-free policy was stopped. However, it was reinstated on July 26, 2023.
Also Read: From October 29, IndiGo To Start Direct Flights From Hyderabad To Singapore
The Visa-Free Policy:
It is reasonable to assume that the new 30-day visa-free travel arrangement will operate in the following manner, taking cues from the current 15-day visa-free policy.
1. Applications for the new 30-day visa-free travel arrangement are only open to citizens holding valid ordinary passports.
2. Travelling may be done for business, pleasure, to see friends and family, or to pass through a third nation.
3. It might still be necessary for visitors to apply for the appropriate visa if they intend to study, work, settle permanently, or attend an interview in China or Singapore.
Tianjin Eco-City Project
Among the 15 new initiatives introduced as part of the Tianjin Eco-City project are the establishment of a new green and digital maritime corridor between Tianjin and Singapore, as well as increased chances for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to test low-carbon solutions.
This falls under a new framework for project collaboration that was unveiled on Thursday, December 7, in Tianjin, China, during the 15th Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City Joint Steering Council. Tianjin Eco-City was launched in 2008 as the second of three government-to-government projects between Singapore and China. The purpose of the forum was to allow both countries to explore collaborative projects, evaluate ideas, and share best practices related to sustainable development.
According to Singapore’s Ministry of National Development (MND), the framework would enhance the eco-city’s position as a “pathfinder for climate-friendly cities” in the “next bound” of partnership. Moreover, it will expand to include green growth, talent development and innovation, low-carbon living, ecological resilience, and governance.
The national development minister, Desmond Lee, stated that the eco-city will be among the concrete examples of the real advantages. He continued that the new initiatives set up a good foundation for China and Singapore to support high-quality green growth.
Through the 15 new initiatives, Singapore and China will strengthen their connections in a variety of fields.
Also Read: China Pneumonia Outbreak: Monitor Hospital Preparedness, But Don’t Panic, Urges Center
Comment below and tell us if you have ever visited China or Singapore.
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