Abu Dhabi: Emiratis can travel to China without the need to obtain a pre–entry visa and can stay up to 30 days on each visit, as of Tuesday. The move follows a decision by the Chinese government exempting Emirati holders of ordinary passports from the prerequisite of the pre-entry visa.
The visa waiver comes on the backdrop of a memorandum of understanding that was recently signed by Ahmad Elham Al Daheri, assistant undersecretary for Consular Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and Ni Jian, Chinese Ambassador to the UAE.
Al Daheri said that as of January 16, UAE citizens can visit China without getting a pre-entry visa and stay for up to 30 days per visit.
Al Daheri added that the move by the Chinese government reflects the stature attained by the UAE and contributes to strengthening bilateral relations and opening new avenues for growing tourism and trade between the two friendly countries.
“China’s decision on exempting Emiratis from pre-entry visas is a fruition of UAE efforts and many encouraging factors that demonstrate the UAE’s stature and strong reputation on the global scale as well as its strong network of international relationships,” Al Daheri said.
“The UAE has become a model for good governance, moderation, openness and peaceful coexistence and a symbol for achievement and excellence at the international level,” he said.
Al Daheri underlined that the welfare of UAE citizens features as a priority in the wise leadership’s vision. The UAE and China established diplomatic relations in November 1984. The UAE opened its embassy in Beijing on March 19, 1987. It also opened consulates in Hong Kong in April 2000, Shanghai in July 2006, and in Guangzhou on June 13, 2016. China opened its embassy in Abu Dhabi in April 1985 and its consulate in Dubai in November 1988.
