China has unveiled a new visa policy aimed at deepening its ties with Southeast Asia, launching the ASEAN Visa for citizens of the 10 ASEAN countries and observer state Timor-Leste. The initiative is designed to ease travel for business professionals and their families, marking a significant step in China’s efforts to strengthen regional cooperation and mobility.
According to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian, the ASEAN Visa will allow multiple entries over a five-year period, with each visit permitting a stay of up to 180 days. The policy applies to qualified business personnel, their spouses, and children.
“This initiative further enhances the convenience of cross-border movement within the region,” Lin stated in a regular press briefing, adding that the visa complements China’s existing mutual visa exemptions with countries like Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand, and builds on the previously issued Lancang-Mekong Visa.
Lin underscored that the launch aligns with China’s vision of a “China-ASEAN community with a shared future,” pointing to increasing collaboration and people-to-people exchanges across the region.
The ASEAN Visa is part of a broader push by China to expand visa access and foster international engagement. Just this month, it began offering visa-free entry to five Latin American nations — Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay — for the first time. Visa exemptions have also been extended to all Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, bringing the number of countries eligible for visa-free access to 43.
China is also seeing a surge in international engagement. Lin noted that over 9 million foreigners entered China in the first quarter of 2025, a 40% increase from the previous year. Meanwhile, more than 18,000 foreign-invested firms were established in the first four months of the year, a 12.1% uptick.
“China will continue to optimise entry policies, expand visa-free coverage, and offer more convenient services,” Lin said. “We aim to promote shared prosperity through greater openness and deeper international cooperation.”