Visa-free entry for Filipinos to China being studied by PROC

Filipinos might just be able to get into China without having to go through a visa application procedure as the People’s Republic of China (PROC) is studying the possibility of waiving its visa requirements for Filipinos.

THIS MIGHT NOT BE REQUIRED IN THE FUTURE. Filipinos might not need to get a Chinese visa if an agreement between the Philippine President and Chinese President pushes through. Image grabbed from More Fun wth Ems

This was revealed by newly-appointed Philippine Ambassador to China Jose Santiago “Chito” Santa Romana during the hearing of the bicameral Commission on Appointments (CA) last December 6, 2016.

He said it was one of the many agreements between the PROC and the Philippines forged by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping during Pres. Duterte’s state visit to China earlier this year.

Santa Romana also mentioned that the number of Chinese tourists arriving in the Philippines has doubled after Duterte’s visit. “This does not mean that the Philippines has softened its stance against illegal immigration as the country must protect its economic interest and sovereignty,” he said.

To date, only Filipinos who are in group tours of Hainan Province for a stay of no more than 15 days are not required to obtain a visa.

Santa Romana is one of the four ambassadors and four cabinet secretaries whose ad interim appointments were confirmed by the CA. He is joined by Jose C. Laurel V (Ambassador to Japan), Uriel Normal Robles Garibay (Ambassador to Kenya), and Shirley Ho-Vocario (Ambassador to Nigeria).

Santa Romana will also have jurisdiction over Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, more commonly known as North Korea.

Source: Manila Bulletin, Philippine News Agency, InterAksyon, Chinese Embassy website