MINSK -- Visa-free regime between Belarus and China for organized tour groups will start to operate in April-May.

China has already ratified the document, and Belarus plans to complete the relevant procedures in the near future, said Vadim Karmazin, director of the tourism department of the Belarusian Sports and Tourism Ministry Thursday.

According to Karmazin, for coordination of mutual actions, Belarus and China plan to establish a joint tour company.

A presidential decree came into force in August 2015 to introduce visa-free entry, exit, and transit procedures for Chinese citizens.

Chinese tourists are also allowed to stay in Belarus without visas for up to 72 hours. The procedures are in effect for Chinese citizens, who arrived by direct flights from China, if their passports contain valid visas of a European Union member state or a Schengen zone participating state.