China Introduces Visa-Free Visits For Georgian Citizens

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said on February 26 that Georgian citizens can now visit China without visas for a period of up to 30 days. In September, Georgia canceled visas for Chinese nationals visiting the South Caucasus nation after the two countries announced a decision to upgrade their bilateral ties to a strategic partnership. Tbilisi's move to enhance ties with Beijing coincided with rising tensions with both the United States and the European Union over what was seen as the Georgian government's ambivalence towards Russia in the face of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Georgian Service, click here.