Uzbekistan and China consider visa-free regime as tourism flourishes

During a briefing held by the Chinese embassy in Uzbekistan, the possibility of implementing a visa-free arrangement between Uzbekistan and China was discussed, as reported by Daryo. The Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Yu Xiong, highlighted the strong desire of the Chinese government to establish a visa-free regime.

However, Ambassador Yu Jun emphasized that such matters require thorough discussion and expert agreement. The Chinese side is currently carefully examining this proposal. Their initial step involves simplifying the visa application process, with a willingness to explore further possibilities later.

The ambassador expressed appreciation for Uzbekistan's recent introduction of a 10-day visa-free policy for Chinese citizens. This policy complements the growing collaboration between the two countries in the tourism sector.

Uzbekistan and China share rich cultural and historical legacies, featuring remarkable architectural marvels in cities such as Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, Shahrisabz, Kokand, and Fergana.

Uzbekistan obtained tourist destination status for group visits by Chinese citizens in 2010. In 2017, both countries adopted a five-year program to enhance their cooperation in the tourism sector. Starting from March 2021, Chinese citizens have been eligible for a ten-day visa-free stay in Uzbekistan.

These measures led to a significant rise in Chinese tourists visiting Uzbekistan, with numbers increasing from 19,000 to 54,000 between 2017 and 2019. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, tourism between the two nations decreased over the past three years, with visitor numbers remaining below 10,000.

Uzbekistan's President declared 2023 as the "Year of Culture and Art of the Peoples of Central Asia and China" to further enhance cultural exchanges and collaboration. Previously, the Chinese ambassador addressed inquiries about the status of the Uzbekistan-Kyrgyzstan-China railway project.

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