Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — There are “no definite” updates on a no-visa policy between China and the Philippines, but some steps toward relaxed travel restrictions can be taken, the Philippine envoy to China disclosed Tuesday.
Among these measures is visa-free travel for both Chinese and Filipino citizens who already have residence or permit to travel in the United States or European Union.
“If you already have a U.S. green card, or if you have an E.U. card visa, that could be the intermediate step to loosen (travel) for both sides,” Ambassador Chito Sta. Romana told The Source.
The Philippines has a similar set-up with Taiwan, where visas are not required as long as the trip lasts less than 30 days.
Filipino travellers may enter Taiwan as long as they hold a visa or permanent resident cards to any of the following countries: U.S.A., Canada, Japan, U.K., Schengen, Australia and New Zealand. They must also “never have worked in Taiwan as a blue collar worker.”
Talks for visa-free travel to and from China are still going on between the two governments.
Lighter rules for travel were raised after President Rodrigo Duterte shifted the country’s foreign policy toward China, after years of lukewarm relations, due in particular to a maritime dispute in the South China Sea.
Sta. Romana cited a growing number of Chinese tourists since Duterte assumed office in July. He estimated 1 million Chinese tourists will enter the country next year.
He added that while they pushed for visa-free travel to the Philippines, China said that they will still “study” a mutual policy for Filipino travellers.
“The question here is reciprocity. We want the same for the Philippines,” Sta. Romana explained.
The envoy said the hesitance stems from a possible increase in undocumented immigrants, commonly referred to as TNTs (Tago nang Tago).
“Because the number of domestics, the number of TNTs could increase,” he added. “And the same (applies) here. We don’t want illegal tourists staying here.”
At present, only Filipinos with diplomatic passports can stay in China, visa-free, for three months.
