Bridging borders: How visa-free travel strengthens Asean-China relations

THE recent wave of visa-free travel agreements between China and several Asean countries has significantly enhanced regional connectivity. These agreements are more than just tourism boosters; they foster friendships and business partnerships among people from different countries.

As China opens its borders to families, students and entrepreneurs, the region is becoming more connected as a community, fulfilling the vision of agreements like the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

How visa-free travel strengthens the foundation of RCEP

The visa-free travel agreement is a significant step that directly supports the broader goals of the RCEP. What starts as a simple policy change between countries can create ripple effects across the region.

Now that Chinese tourists can easily visit Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand without visas, other RCEP members such as Vietnam, Indonesia and Brunei may experience a surge in tourism, especially from tourists planning multi-country trips within Asean.

The growing flow of visitors will not only boost demand for regional airlines, travel operators, SMEs and hotels, but also stimulate economic activity across neighbouring countries.

The agreement will also significantly benefit students and professionals. A graduate student or academic professional can now attend a conference in Malaysia and then visit research collaborators in other RCEP countries, such as Thailand and Singapore.

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) can explore opportunities in neighbouring countries with fewer obstacles, while local entrepreneurs can tap into new markets in nearby regions.

With reduced travel complications, these policies will strengthen professional networks and support SMEs in the tourism and service sectors across Asia-Pacific countries.

Simplifying travel not only boosts tourism but also fosters closer collaboration between countries and supports broader regional development, aligning with RCEP's goals of inclusive and sustainable economic cooperation.

Expected boost to Asean’s tourism industry

China is one of the world’s largest outbound tourism markets, with travellers known for their high spending power and keen interest in cultural and natural attractions. Simplified travel procedures are expected to remove major barriers that previously discouraged potential visitors from navigating complex visa applications.

Industry analysts project that this easier access will attract more Chinese tourists to Asean countries, strengthening the tourism sector and generating spillover benefits for retail, hospitality and related service industries.

The growing influx of tourists will also encourage hotels, resorts and attractions to expand and upgrade their facilities. This, in turn, will create jobs for local communities and provide opportunities for small business owners to tap into this expanding market.

Economic impact and opportunities

As Chinese tourists are renowned for their strong spending power on dining, shopping and leisure activities, the visa-free travel agreement is expected to boost economic opportunities and significantly increase tourism-related revenue across China and Asean countries.

Furthermore, the agreement is likely to stimulate investment in tourism infrastructure, as rising demand for hotels, resorts and other facilities will drive new construction and potential expansions.

This initiative also creates opportunities for businesses to cater to Chinese tourists by offering Mandarin-speaking tour guides, authentic Chinese cuisine, and familiar payment methods such as Alipay and WeChat Pay.

Additionally, the agreement is expected to generate positive ripple effects across related industries. For instance, increased travel between China and Asean countries is likely to boost flight bookings, benefitting the aviation sector.

Similarly, the retail industry anticipates higher demand for luxury goods and local products, driven by the influx of Chinese visitors.

Strengthening bilateral relations, academic and cultural exchange

The visa-free travel agreement is expected to enhance cultural and academic exchanges between China and Asean countries, in addition to its economic benefits.

Tourism plays a vital role in fostering mutual respect and understanding between nations. By simplifying travel between countries, the agreement allows tourists and local citizens to experience each other’s cultures, customs and ways of life more easily.

For instance, a postgraduate student attending a conference in Malaysia can now extend their stay without visa complications to participate in research projects or short-term programmes in countries like Singapore, Thailand, or Vietnam within the same trip.

Similarly, regional professionals and SMEs can explore joint ventures, attend trade fairs and meet cross-border partners with greater ease.

Importantly, the visa exemption also encourages deeper academic and educational collaboration by facilitating student and scholar participation in exchange programmes, conferences and joint research initiatives.

This contributes to the broader RCEP vision by strengthening people-to-people connectivity and fostering regional talent development.

A bright future for Asean-China relations

The visa-free travel agreement opens up exciting opportunities for people in Asean countries and China.

For many families and travellers, what was once a lengthy and time-consuming visa application process is now as simple as booking a flight.

This means Chinese families can easily plan short trips to Asean countries, while Asean citizens can organise quick getaways to explore China’s vibrant cities.

A unique aspect of this agreement is how it brings ordinary people closer together. When an Asean family visits the Great Wall or a Chinese couple spends their honeymoon in Malaysia, they create personal memories that no formal diplomatic meeting can replicate.

This agreement represents more than just easier travel; it is about building connections between communities. As more people cross borders freely, they bring back stories, friendships, recipes and business ideas that strengthen ties between countries.

In an increasingly interconnected and interdependent world, these people-to-people connections could become the most sustainable foundation for future international cooperation.

Lau Wai Kwan is a lecturer at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman. The views expressed here are entirely the writer’s own.

The SEARCH Scholar Series is a social responsibility programme jointly organised by the South-East Asia Research Centre for Humanities (SEARCH) and Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT).