Russia and Hong Kong will sign an agreement on Thursday in Beijing cancelling visa requirements for visitors on short trips, a spokesman for the Russian consulate in South China`s territory said.

As soon as the agreement comes into effect, Russians will be able to visit Hong Kong for up to 14 days visa free.

Russian Ambassador to China Sergei Razov and Hong Kong immigration chief Simon Peh are to sign the documents, agreed during a visit by a Russian Foreign Ministry delegation to Hong Kong in September 2008.

The number of tourists travelling to the former British colony is growing every year. In 2008, over 37,000 Russians visited Hong Kong, up 13% against 2007.

However, Hong Kong saw the biggest rise from Finnish visitors with a 20% increase year-on-year.
sections: World News