China and Australia will provide each other's citizens with multiple-entry visas of up to five years for tourism and business from Friday, the Chinese foreign ministry said, in another sign of improving ties between the two countries.
The visa arrangement followed a milestone trip by China's Premier Li Qiang to Australia earlier this week that marked a stabilisation in bilateral relations after a period of frosty ties.
Previously, Chinese citizens could apply for visas of up to one year to visit Australia, or up to 10 years for frequent travellers.
Within an hour following the announcement, searches for flight tickets, hotels and other items for Australia surged more than 200% on Chinese travel site Tongcheng Travel, state-backed media The Paper reported.
