Following the visit of the President of Kyrgyzstan to China, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of Kyrgyzstan and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China. The document is aimed at facilitating group tourist travel between the two countries. However, as the Akchabar newspaper found out, the relaxation of the visa regime will affect only Chinese citizens, while the procedure for Kyrgyz citizens to enter the PRC remains the same.

The Ministry of Economy of Kyrgyzstan explained that since last year there is a decree according to which groups of Chinese tourists consisting of 5 to 50 people and having a tourist package can visit Kyrgyzstan without visas. To do this, Chinese tour operators must inform the Kyrgyz side about their travel plans three months in advance. Tourists from China will be able to stay in Kyrgyzstan as part of a purchased tour package and must have return tickets.

“Within the framework of the president's visit, we signed a memorandum to strengthen cooperation in this direction. For its implementation, an interdepartmental working group will be created to develop mechanisms of interaction. We must accredit Chinese tour operators to avoid violations,” the Economy Ministry said.

As for Kyrgyz citizens, the visa regime has not changed for them yet. Perhaps it will be raised as part of the work of the interdepartmental group.

“For now, nothing changes for our citizens, and a visa to China is required in any case,” the ministry said.

Nevertheless, the ministry did not rule out that in the future, after the signing of bilateral agreements, Kyrgyz citizens will be able to stay for some period in China without visas.