Alexey Govyrin, a member of the State Duma Committee on Small and Medium‑Sized Enterprises, advocated simplifying the process of obtaining work visas between Russia and China. He noted that the visa‑free tourist regime for stays of up to 30 days has already had a positive effect: mutual tourist traffic increased by about a quarter in the first half of the year, and by the end of the year the growth could reach up to 30 %. “This is the first step, an open door that our business is actively using,” the deputy emphasized.
According to Govyrin, in the first half of 2026 the number of Chinese enterprises registered in Russia increased almost 10‑fold. Entrepreneurs are showing high interest in joint projects and technology exchange. However, he noted, obtaining work visas still follows the traditional procedure, which hinders the development of long‑term cooperation. In this regard, Govyrin proposed considering the possibility of simplifying the visa regime for long‑term business trips.
The deputy expressed hope that this issue could be raised at a high level. In his opinion, simplifying visa procedures for work‑related purposes would be a logical continuation of the liberalization of tourist travel and would help deepen economic cooperation between the countries. Currently, the visa‑free regime for tourists between Russia and China is in effect until December 31, 2027.
