China Approves Visa-Free Travel for UK, Canada

Matichon•International•1d ago

Reader Briefing

China has introduced a visa-free policy for citizens of the United Kingdom and Canada, allowing stays of up to 30 days, aiming to boost international exchange.

•China has announced a visa-free policy for UK and Canadian citizens, allowing 30-day stays.
•The policy, effective from February 17, aims to enhance people-to-people exchanges.
•This initiative follows recent visits by Canadian and UK prime ministers to China.

Overview

•The visa-free policy will be effective from February 17 until at least December 31.
•The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on February 15 that the program will promote exchanges between Chinese citizens and people from other countries.
•China announced approval for a visa-free travel program for British and Canadian citizens.
•British citizens, numbering 620,000 in 2024, will benefit from visa-free entry to China.
•This policy covers tourist, business, and family visit visas.
•The policy was introduced after the Canadian Prime Minister and UK Prime Minister visited China, discussing easier access for British businesspeople.
•Other countries with visa-free access to China include France, Germany, Italy, Australia, and Japan.
•In 2024, a total of 620,000 British citizens traveled to China, according to the UK's Office for National Statistics.

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Key Quotes

Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs

"This program will help promote exchanges between the people of China and other countries."

โครงการนี้จะช่วยส่งเสริมการแลกเปลี่ยนระหว่างประชาชนของจีนและประเทศอื่นๆ

Key Entities

Place

China(จีน)ℹ️

The country implementing a new visa-free policy for British and Canadian citizens.

United Kingdom(อังกฤษ)ℹ️

A country whose citizens are now eligible for visa-free travel to China.

Canada(แคนาดา)ℹ️

A country whose citizens are now eligible for visa-free travel to China.

Person

Mark Carney(มาร์ค คาร์นีย์)ℹ️

Former Prime Minister of Canada who recently visited China.

Sir Keir Starmer(เซอร์เคียร์ สตาร์เมอร์)ℹ️

Prime Minister of the United Kingdom who recently visited China and discussed travel regulations.

Xi Jinping(สี จิ้นผิง)ℹ️

President of China who met with the UK Prime Minister to discuss relaxed travel rules.

Organization

BBC News(สำนักข่าวบีบีซี)ℹ️

The news agency reporting on China's visa-free policy announcement.

Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs(กระทรวงต่างประเทศจีน)ℹ️

The government body that announced the benefits of the visa-free travel program.

UK's Office for National Statistics(สำนักงานสถิติแห่งชาติอังกฤษ)ℹ️

The statistical agency that provided data on British travelers to China.

Policy

Visa-Free Travel Program(โครงการวีซ่าฟรี)

The new policy implemented by China allowing citizens of the UK and Canada to enter without a visa for up to 30 days.