China confirms visa-free travel for UK and Canadian nationals
BBC • • world
Key Points:
- From 17 February, UK and Canadian nationals can travel to mainland China visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism, business, or family visits, with the policy initially valid until 31 December.
- The visa-free entry follows an agreement between UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Chinese President Xi Jinping during Starmer's visit to China last month, aimed at easing travel and boosting business ties.
- The new policy aligns the UK and Canada with over 50 countries, including France, Germany, and Japan, and could benefit around 620,000 British travelers expected to visit China in 2024.
- Sir Keir emphasized that the agreement would help British businesses expand in China, while critics raised concerns about overlooking
