No rise in Chinese visitors arrested in Singapore since start of visa-free travel: official

Singapore has not experienced an increase of Chinese visitors arrested in the city state since the implementation of visa-free travel between the two countries, a government official has said.

Last month, three Chinese nationals, believed to be linked to foreign syndicates, were charged in the city state in relation to a spate of housebreaking cases in private residential estates. Police said they were working with Chinese authorities to locate another 14 Chinese nationals linked to the cases who had left Singapore.

The suspects are believed to be transient travellers who entered Singapore as visit pass holders, usually one to two days before committing the offence. After committing the crime, they would leave the scene and attempt to depart the country as soon as possible to avoid detection, local media reported.

Since February 9, holders of passports issued by Singapore and China have been exempted from visa requirements for a stay of up to 30 days in each country.

Responding to a parliamentary question from opposition politician Leong Mun Wai on whether more of such pass holders had been arrested following the visa exemption, Sun Xueling, Minister of State of Home Affairs and Social and Family Development, said on Monday there had been no increase in the number or percentage of such visitors since the visa exemption began.