MOSCOW, February 20. /TASS/. Russia and China have resumed the agreement on visa-free group tourist trips, the press service of the Economic Development Ministry told TASS.

"The agreement between the government of the Russian Federation and the government of the People's Republic of China on visa-free group tourist trips dated February 29, 2000 has resumed its operation after being suspended due to the pandemic of a new coronavirus infection," the statement says.

According to the document, in order to allow Chinese tourists to enter Russia, the Economic Development Ministry must receive an updated list of Chinese travel companies that plan to send group tours under the agreement, and transfer it to the Border Guard Service of the Russian Federal Security Service. The Economic Development Ministry expects this list from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China in the near future, the press service noted.

On February 6, China resumed tourist trips for organized groups of travelers, including to Russia on a pilot basis. However, as representatives of the Russian tourism industry noted, in order to fully resume tourism between Russia and China, the parties need to renew the agreement on visa-free group tourist trips.