TRIP.COM(US:TCOM) Guo Ji Jin Rong Bao·2025-09-02 12:31Group 1 - China has decided to expand its visa-free policy to include ordinary passport holders from Russia, effective from September 15, 2025, to September 14, 2026, allowing stays of up to 30 days for business, tourism, and family visits [1] - Following the announcement, there was a significant increase in travel product searches on online platforms, with a nearly 100% year-on-year increase in flight searches from Moscow within half an hour of the news, peaking at nearly 400% [1] - The number of Chinese tourists visiting Russia has surged, with 1.0394 million trips recorded in 2024, marking a 209.3% year-on-year increase, while Russia received 1.5035 million Chinese visitors, a 115.1% increase [1] Group 2 - Russian tourists have shown a substantial increase in travel to China, ranking among the top five source countries for inbound tourism, with a 150% year-on-year increase in orders on Ctrip since July [2] - Popular destinations for Russian tourists in China include Beijing, Shanghai, and Sanya, indicating a strong preference for major urban and scenic areas [2] - The new visa-free policy is expected to enhance cultural exchanges and tourism between China and Russia, potentially revitalizing the inbound tourism market in China [2]