No increase in Chinese visitors arrested in Singapore since visa-free travel launched: official

There has been no increase in the number of Chinese visitors arrested in the Singapore city-state since the introduction of visa-free travel between the two countries, a government official said.

Last month, three Chinese nationals believed to have links to foreign syndicates were charged in the city-state in connection with a series of burglaries at private homes. Police said they were working with Chinese authorities to find another 14 Chinese nationals linked to the cases who had left Singapore.

The suspects are believed to be temporary travellers who entered Singapore as visitor pass holders, usually one to two days before committing the crime. After committing the crime, they left the scene and tried to leave the country as soon as possible to avoid detection, local media reported.

Since February 9, holders of passports issued by Singapore and China are exempt from visa requirements for a stay of up to 30 days in both countries.

In response to a parliamentary question from opposition politician Leong Mun Wai on whether more holders of such passes have been arrested following the visa waiver, Sun Xueling, Minister of the Interior and Social and Family Development, said on Monday that there has been no increase in the number or percentage of such visitors since the visa waiver came into effect.