Visitors from China will enjoy visa-free entry into Malaysia from March to the end of the year, Prime Minister Najib Razak said on Thursday.
The visa exemption for Chinese tourists will be introduced on March 1 and end on Dec 31, the Bernama news agency reported, citing the announcement by Mr Najib during the revised budget speech in Putrajaya.
The programme will allow visitors from China to stay in Malaysia for no more than 15 days.
"The government will facilitate the entry of foreign tourists by expediting the implementation of eVisas to several countries which have been identified," he said in the speech.
- Related story: Chinese tourists 'won't be deterred' by problems at home
"As an additional measure, I am pleased to announce that tourists from China do not require a visa to visit Malaysia - or Visa Free - commencing from 1 March to 31 December 2016, subject to specific conditions for a period of stay not exceeding 15 days."
About 1.3 million Chinese tourists visited Malaysia last year and the country aims to lure 8 million over the next few years.
Tourism ties between Malaysia and China were dampened after Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 with 239 people on board went missing after leaving Kuala Lumpur for Beijing in March 2014. Most of the passengers were Chinese.