Georgian citizens to enjoy visa-free travel to China starting next month
Zhou Qian, the Chinese Ambassador, has officially handed over a note on completion of legal procedures for the agreement, signed earlier this month, to Aleksandre Khvtisiashvili, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia. Photo: MFA of Georgia
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Georgian citizens will be able to travel to China without a visa and stay in the country for 30 consecutive days starting May 28, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia said on Monday.
The body added Zhou Qian, the Chinese Ambassador, had officially handed over a note on completion of legal procedures for the agreement, signed earlier this month, to Aleksandre Khvtisiashvili, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia.
China has completed the necessary legal procedures to implement visa-free travel for people holding Chinese and Georgian passports. This agreement was signed by Ilia Darchiashvili [the Georgian Minister of Foreign Affairs] and me on April 10”, Qian said.
The coordination between our countries highlights our strategic partnership and equal treatment of one another. Our partnership is characterised by a pragmatic and efficient approach”, the diplomat added.
The Ambassador also made comments on infrastructure projects in Georgia with Chinese financing or participation, highlighting the completion of the Kvesheti-Kobi Tunnel of North-South Corridor.
Qian also said the opening of the Zestaponi Bypass Road, a part of Georgia’s international East-West Highway, demonstrated China's “practical approach” to the development of the Middle Corridor - a logistics route connecting Central Asia and China to Europe via the South Caucasus.
He also noted Georgian Airways had launched direct cargo flights from capital Tbilisi to the city of Chengdu in China this month, with direct passenger flights “to follow soon”.
The Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the meeting between the Ambassador and the Deputy Minister earlier today emphasised the importance of “fully using the new opportunities” that were created as a result of the “strategic partnership” established between the two countries last year.
The body added the visa-free travel would contribute to the rapprochement of two “friendly nations and peoples”, the further development of “mutually beneficial cooperation”, the deepening of people-to-people contacts and ties in tourism, culture and economy.
Georgia announced visa-free travel for Chinese citizens in September 2023.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Monday announced visa-free travel to the country for Chinese citizens, citing attracting visitors and mutual economic investments among “main interests” behind the decision.
Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Monday highlighted the task of “using all opportunities” to strengthen the country’s economy, following the Government’s decision to establish visa-free travel to the country for Chinese citizens.
Levan Davitashvili, the Georgian Economy Minister, on Monday said the Chinese citizens would be able to stay in the country for 30 days without a visa requirement, following Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili’s announcement earlier during the day about the Government’s intention to introduce visa-free travel with the country.
Georgian Economy Minister Levan Davitashvili on Monday said a session of the intergovernmental trade and economic commission between China and Georgia had discussed topics including removal of visa requirements for Georgian citizens.