China Grants Visa-Free Entry to UK, Canada

China has confirmed a new visa-free travel arrangement for citizens of the United Kingdom and Canada, effective from February 17 until December 31. This policy allows ordinary passport holders from both countries to enter China without a visa for up to 30 days for purposes including business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, exchanges, or transit. The decision follows official visits to Beijing in January by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who sought to bolster relations with China and pivot from the increasingly complex relationship with the United States. Chinese President Xi Jinping met with both leaders, leading to these agreements. The move is aimed at facilitating people-to-people exchanges and deepening trade relations, particularly in services, healthcare, green technology, and finance.