China introduces visa-free movement for Polish citizens [translation in comments]

6 comments

1. DeepL translation:

   China is scrapping short-term visas for Polish citizens. The decision was made on Monday after a meeting between President Andrzej Duda and the leader of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping in Beijing. – These procedures have now been set in motion. We can expect that in the coming days this visa-free movement will become a reality,” Andrzej Duda stressed.

   China’s visa-free travel program allows citizens with ordinary passports to travel to China without visas for up to 15 days for business, tourism, family and transit purposes.The decision was announced by the Chinese side on Monday in connection with President Andrzej Duda’s visit to China. On that day, Duda met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang and Chairman of the Zhao OZPL Standing Committee Zhao Leji.

   -These procedures have now been launched, so we can expect this visa-free travel to become a reality in the coming days,” President Andrzej Duda stressed during a press briefing after his meeting with the Chinese leader. According to authorities in Beijing, the visa-free travel program is aimed at boosting post-pandemic tourism and strengthening international ties.

   Last November, China introduced visa-free travel for citizens of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia for a one-year trial period. In March, the list was joined by: Ireland, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg and, as the only Eastern European country, Hungary. A few days ago, visas for citizens of Australia and New Zealand were abolished following a visit to Canberra by China’s prime minister.China initially announced the visa-free policy for a trial period until November 30 this year, but in May extended it until December 31, 2025.Last December, Chinese authorities announced a temporary 25 percent reduction in visa fees for travelers from Poland.

   We discussed today all the most important issues (…) primarily looking from the economic side,” the president said after his meeting with Xi Jinping. – We concluded agreements on cooperation in the field of technology, agriculture. (We discussed – ed.) a whole series of agreements on the export of Polish food to China,” the president mentioned, stressing that by the end of the year regionalization of poultry sales in China will also be introduced. – We will be the fourth country in the world to have this. This is a very important item,” Andrzej Duda pointed out. According to the president, the meeting resulted in a significant opening of the Chinese market to Polish food products. Andrzej Duda encouraged Polish growers to take an interest in new opportunities.

   Andrzej Duda mentioned that his talks with the Chinese president also concerned security in Europe. The Polish president was to convey to the Chinese leader, among other things, Poland’s position on the war in Ukraine. – There is a great need for peace. I hope that China will support (…) to push for a peaceful end to the war started by Russia in Ukraine. First of all, an ending that will be in accordance with international law. (…) This is of fundamental importance. I stressed today that we stand on the position of not changing the borders,” the president added.

2. I suppose that’s one of the few benefits of having two mutually disliking representatives of your country – you can negotiate something out of others better so long as you’re at least mostly on the same page on something.

3. [deleted]

4. This is most likely a move to turn China away from Russia. Poland economy is huge in terms of purchasing power it should be beter option than the Russian will ever be. Poland is a huge gate to the Europe. This should be a significant blow to the Russia. Poland is the key ally to Ukraine. Russia most likely wont be happy about this partnership improvement.

5. It cost Poland the Podlasie region but it seems like a good deal

6. I’m worried to ask why did we get ut