China has confirmed that citizens of the United Kingdom and Canada will be allowed to travel to the country without a visa starting Tuesday, following recent diplomatic engagements between the two nations and Beijing.
The announcement was made on Sunday by China’s Foreign Ministry, formalising agreements earlier disclosed by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney after separate official visits to Beijing in January.
Both leaders had travelled to China in a bid to strengthen bilateral relations and recalibrate foreign policy priorities amid shifting global dynamics. During their meetings with senior Chinese officials, including President Xi Jinping, discussions covered trade, cooperation, and expanded mobility arrangements for citizens.
In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said holders of ordinary passports from the United Kingdom and Canada would be permitted to enter China without a visa for up to 30 days for purposes including business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, exchanges, or transit.
The visa-free policy will take effect on Tuesday and remain in place until December 31, according to the ministry.
Beijing said the move was aimed at further facilitating people-to-people exchanges and strengthening ties between China and other countries.
