The first Chinese tourist who enjoys the visa-free agreement between China and Belarus receives a certificate in Minsk, Belarus, on Aug. 10, 2018. The intergovernmental agreement on visa-free travel between Belarus and China came into effect on Friday. (Photo: Xinhua)

The intergovernmental agreement on visa-free travel between Belarus and China came into force on Friday.

From now on, Belarusians can stay in China without a visa for up to 30 days in one trip, but not more than 90 days a year. The same rule applies to Chinese citizens.

If a person wants to stay in the country for more than 30 days or engage in educational and professional activities, he or she needs a special visa. Visa-free travel covers private trips, business trips and tourist trips.

The Belarusian authorities expect that the implementation of the agreement will significantly increase the number of Chinese tourists to Belarus, and will be an important factor in the development of tourism infrastructure.

The intergovernmental agreement on mutual visa-free travel for ordinary citizens of the two countries was signed in China's Qingdao on June 10 during Belarusian President's working visit to China.