China now grants Indonesian citizens a visa-free transit stay of up to days, expanding the number of countries eligible for the policy to 55.
The visa-free transit arrangement was announced on Thursday, 12th June.
Under the new ruling, Indonesian travellers are allowed to enter China through any of 60 designated ports without a visa, provided they hold valid international travel documents and connecting tickets with confirmed dates and seats to a third country or region.
Eligible travellers can stay in designated areas for up to 10 days.
Those allowed entry under the policy may do so for the purpose of tourism, business, family, and exchange-related visits.
A necessary move
An administration official said the expansion of the visa-free transit policy is an important step toward enhancing China's exchanges and cooperation with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
At the same time, it is also expected to help facilitate trade and investment between China and Indonesia, and strengthen the good momentum in bilateral ties.
China is Indonesia's largest trading partner. Indonesia, the fourth most populous country in the world, is Southeast Asia's biggest economy.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry reported that bilateral trade reached US$147.8 billion last year, a 6.1 percent increase year-on-year.
Investment and infrastructure cooperation between the two countries has also thrived, with landmark projects including the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Corridor.
It is expected that this new visa-free policy, alongside initiatives such as scholarships and youth exchange programs, will open the gate for the emerging middle class, students and young people in Indonesia to gain a better understanding of China.
