China, Singapore sign visa waiver agreement
China DailyDivers perform an underwater dragon dance at an aquarium in Singapore on Thursday. ROSLAN RAHMAN/AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE China and Singapore on Thursday signed an agreement on mutual visa exemption in Beijing, which allows the holders of ordinary passports stays of up to 30 days. China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told a news conference that the agreement is "a Chinese New Year gift for people of both countries". "The agreement will surely further enhance people-to-people exchanges between China and Singapore, and promote the progress of bilateral ties and cooperation in various fields," Wang said. Singapore has gained increasing popularity among Chinese tourists during the upcoming Chinese New Year holiday, according to Ctrip, a Chinese online travel agency.