China Colombia Photo:CFP

 Chinese embassy in Colombia said although Colombia has announced plans to lift the visa requirement for Chinese citizens, it has not yet specified the concrete implementation plan. The embassy pledged to follow up on the matter and work to ensure the policy is enacted as soon as possible.

Minister for Foreign Affairs of Colombia Laura Sarabia said that the process to exempt Chinese citizens and citizens of other nationalities from visa requirements has been initiated, La Republica, a Columbian newspaper reported on April 18. The newspaper cited Sarabia as saying the decision, made in agreement with President Gustavo Petro, aims to promote tourism, trade, and investment in Colombia.

"We continue to work, as always, with a shared vision and smooth dialogue," said Sarabia.

When asked whether Chinese citizens holding ordinary passports and service ordinary passports can enter Colombia without a visa, the Chinese Embassy in Colombia said on Wednesday that although the Colombian side has announced the initiation of the relevant procedures, it has not yet clarified the specific implementation plan. The Chinese embassy vowed to continue to follow up and strive to ensure this positive development is implemented swiftly.

The difficulty for Chinese citizens to obtain a visa to Colombia has long been a persistent problem that has hindered exchanges between the people of the two countries. Through continuous efforts of the embassy to promote this matter, there has been an important and positive change in the attitude of the Colombian high-level officials recently. This is an important step towards resolving this issue.

At present, Chinese citizens holding ordinary passports and service ordinary passports are not exempt from visas when traveling to Colombia, the embassy stressed.

It reminds Chinese citizens planning to visit Colombia to carefully understand Colombia's entry policies, especially to pay attention to the subsequent news releases of the embassy; instead of believing the false hypes on social media.

Global Times