Blanar: China to Extend Visa-free Arrangements for Slovaks by One More Year

Beijing, 10 November (TASR) - Slovak citizens will be able to travel to China visa-free next year as well, as China is ready to extend the right to visa-free stays of up to 30 days, which are currently in place until the end of 2026, by an additional year, Foreign Affairs Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD) announced following talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Tuesday. The two ministers also agreed to hold the second meeting of the Slovak-Chinese Inter-governmental Committee for Strategic Partnership in Beijing early next year, the Foreign Affairs Ministry's communications department has informed TASR. "I received positive news from my Chinese counterpart today that China is prepared to extend the visa-free arrangements with Slovakia for one more year. Visa-free arrangements have led to an increase not only in the number of tourists, but above all in the number of people who want to do business with China. We're also striving to create, within the Schengen rules, opportunities for Chinese entrepreneurs and investors to visit Slovakia and explore business opportunities here," said the Slovak minister. According to Blanar, the strategic partnership established in November 2024 during Slovak Premier Robert Fico's visit to Beijing has given significant momentum to bilateral relations. "It's underpinned by a solid institutional framework, and its implementation is reviewed by the Intergovernmental Committee for Strategic Partnership, which held its first meeting in Bratislava in January 2026. Political dialogue has also intensified, with 13 high-level Slovak visits to China taking place since then, including a visit by President Peter Pellegrini," stated the ministry in its pres release, adding that Slovakia is interested in developing top-level dialogue in both directions. Blanar therefore reiterated in Beijing an invitation to Chinese President Xi Jinping to visit Slovakia. During talks with Premier Fico, Xi indicated that he'd include Slovakia in the itinerary of his European tour next year. The head of Slovak diplomacy also invited his Chinese counterpart to visit Slovakia. Another significant topic of discussion between the two foreign ministers was the United Nations and its reform. China is a permanent member of the UN Security Council, making its support for Slovakia's bid for a non-permanent seat for the 2028–2029 term particularly important. According to the Slovak ministry, the two countries also hold similar positions on the war in Ukraine. Slovakia is an observer in a joint initiative by China and Brazil, which seeks to establish a platform at the UN for the peaceful resolution of conflicts. "We agreed that it's necessary to intensify peace negotiations, engage in dialogue with all parties and bring the conflict in Ukraine to an end as soon as possible, as it has no military solution," stressed Blanar. "I'm leaving China with very positive feelings. What we agreed upon two years ago is now taking concrete shape, and I firmly believe that bilateral trade will grow, creating new opportunities for Slovak entrepreneurs as well as for Chinese investors in Slovakia," stated Blanar, who also highlighted investments made by Gotion High-Tech and other Chinese companies in Slovakia. ko/df