China has agreed in principle to allow British citizens to travel to the country for up to 30 days without a visa, Downing Street has confirmed, following high-level talks in Beijing aimed at resetting relations and boosting economic ties.
The announcement came after Keir Starmer met Xi Jinping in the Chinese capital, making him the first UK prime minister to visit China in eight years. No start date has yet been confirmed for the visa waiver, but officials said they hoped it would be implemented as soon as possible.
If enacted, the move could benefit hundreds of thousands of travellers. Around 620,000 British citizens visited China in 2024, according to the Office for National Statistics. Downing Street said the UK would be brought into line with around 50 other countries already eligible for visa-free entry, including France, Germany, Italy, Australia and Japan.
Sir Keir said relaxed visa rules would support British firms seeking to expand in one of the world’s largest markets, while also making it easier for tourists to visit China.
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