SHANGHAI: The prospect of a longer visa-free stay for Malaysians visiting China will be among the key issues to be raised during discussions at the sideline meeting between the two countries, says Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

The meeting between Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and China’s Minister of Public Security Minister Wong Xiaohong is expected to take place today.

(China has implemented a 15-day visa-free policy for Malaysians who enter the Middle Kingdom for business, tourism, family visit and transit purposes. This policy is effective till Dec 31, 2025.)

Speaking to Malaysian journalists yesterday, Saifuddin said Malaysia had earlier proposed for a reciprocal move from China to extend the visa-free days for Malaysians from 15 days to 30 days.

This is in reference to Malaysia’s practice of granting visa exemption for 30 days to Chinese arrivals till the end of 2026.

“We will bring up this matter again at the meeting (today),” he said.

He said they would also be discussing extending the visa-free exemption period from Dec 31, 2025 to Dec 31, 2026 for Malaysians going to China.

While no decision has been made, Saifuddin hoped that there would be positive outcome from the meeting.

Ahmad Zahid will be attending the Global Public Security Cooperation Forum in Lianyungang city, Jiangsu province.

The international forum is an initiative of China that began in 2015 as a platform for dialogue and global cooperation with “Cooperative Security for Common Prosperity” as its core value.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/09/09/msia-to-lobby-china-for-longer-visa-free-stay