China will introduce a 30-day visa-free facility for holders of ordinary passports from the United Kingdom and Canada from Tuesday, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said.
The facility will remain in force until December 31. The development follows the recent visit to Beijing by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
During their meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and other senior officials, the two leaders agreed to strengthen bilateral relations.
According to Chinese authorities, ordinary passport holders from the United Kingdom and Canada will be permitted to stay in China for up to 30 days without a visa for business, tourism, visits to relatives and friends, exchange programmes or transit. The statement said the step is intended to promote people-to-people links.
Meanwhile, China’s senior diplomat Wang Yi met German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry said Beijing seeks to raise its comprehensive strategic partnership with Germany to a new level.
Experts said China is seeking to consolidate relations with the European Union, particularly at a time when Europe is attempting to bring balance to its foreign policy.
