China, Singapore sign mutual visa exemption agreement

This photo taken on Sept. 13, 2023 shows the race track of Singapore Formula One Grand Prix in Singapore. [Photo by Then Chih Wey/Xinhua]

BEIJING -- China and Singapore signed a mutual visa exemption agreement in Beijing on Thursday, which will come into effect from Feb. 9, according to the Chinese foreign ministry.

Chinese and Singaporean citizens holding ordinary passports will be allowed to enter and stay in each other's countries visa-free for up to 30 days, said Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin at a daily press briefing.

Wang said that the agreement, to take effect on the eve of the Chinese Lunar New Year of the Dragon, is undoubtedly a New Year gift for the people of the two countries. It will further boost people-to-people exchanges and advance China-Singapore relations and cooperation in various fields, he added.

Tourists visit the Jewel Changi Airport in Singapore on Sept. 7, 2023. [Photo by Then Chih Wey/Xinhua]

Tourists visit the River Wonders in Singapore on Dec. 13, 2023. [Photo by Then Chih Wey/Xinhua]

This photo taken on Sept. 8, 2023 shows a park along the Marina Bay in Singapore. [Photo by Then Chih Wey/Xinhua]

Fireworks light up the sky over the Marina Bay in Singapore, Aug. 9, 2023. [Photo by Then Chih Wey/Xinhua]

Tourists visit the Merlion Park in Singapore on Dec. 21, 2023. [Photo by Then Chih Wey/Xinhua]