Reshetnikov urges stronger tourist flows from China to Russia

More Russian tourists visit China than Chinese tourists travel to Russia, Economic Development Minister Maxim Reshetnikov said. Speaking after talks between the countries’ prime ministers in St Petersburg, he linked a better balance to improved air connections.

The minister offered approximate figures of 1.5 million tourists traveling from Russia to China and about 500 thousand in the opposite direction. He said tourist numbers had grown one and a half times over half a year and spoke positively about visa-free travel.

Reshetnikov said tourism and transport access were being considered together. Working groups prepare proposals, which are brought together through the intergovernmental subcommissions.

China introduced visa-free entry for Russian citizens on September 15, 2025. Russia adopted a similar measure in December of that year.