VLADIVOSTOK, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Russia aims to attract 5.5 million Chinese tourists annually by 2030, including 1.8 million to the Far East, the Russian Ministry of Economic Development announced on Tuesday.

Russian Economy Minister Maxim Reshetnikov said in a statement that the main growth prospects for tourism in the Far East are linked to the Chinese market, which already accounts for a large proportion of foreign tourists to the region.

Direct weekly flights between China and the Far East are expected to surge from 50 to 350 by 2030, supported by the modernization of land checkpoints and airports and the construction of almost 19,000 new hotel rooms in the region, according to the statement.

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree in early December allowing Chinese nationals to enter Russia visa-free for tourism or business purposes for up to 30 days. ■