国际英语新闻:Belarusian parliament ratifies visa-free agreement with China

MINSK, June 28 (Xinhua) -- The Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus on Thursday ratified the intergovernmental agreement on visa-free travel with China.

Sergei Rakhmanov, Chairman of the International Affairs and National Security Commission of the Council of the Republic, told reporters that the ratification of the agreement will make progress in all aspects of the bilateral relations.

"We will be able to step up cooperation in economy, politics, education, science and technology," the senator said.

The agreement stipulates that Belarusians will be able to stay in China without a visa for up to 30 days in one trip, but not more than 90 days a year. The same rule will apply to Chinese citizens. If a person wants to stay in the country for more than 30 days or engage in educational and professional activities, he or she will need a special visa. Visa-free travel covers private trips, business trips and tourist trips.

The intergovernmental agreement on mutual visa-free travel for ordinary citizens of the two countries was signed in China's Qingdao on June 10 during Belarusian President's working visit to China.

On Wednesday, the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus ratified the visa-free travel agreement with China.