On January 29, according to Reuters, UK Prime Minister Starmer said in China that British citizens traveling to China for a stay of no more than 30 days will be exempt from visa requirements, and called this measure "a commercial victory."
In a statement, Starmer said that businesses have long been "urging to find ways to expand their business in China," and the visa exemption will help companies expand in the Chinese market, thereby boosting employment in the UK.
The 30-day visa exemption policy for British citizens traveling to China has been confirmed by both sides. This is the latest initiative of China's unilateral opening to the UK, with the specific effective date yet to be announced.
British citizens traveling to China for short-term activities such as tourism, business, or visiting relatives can enjoy a 30-day visa exemption per single stay, with a total stay of no more than 180 days within a year.
The UK is the 43rd Western developed country included in China's unilateral visa-exempt list. Previously, China had implemented a 15- to 30-day visa exemption for European countries such as France, Germany, and Italy, as well as Japan and Australia. By including core English-speaking countries, this move marks further improvement of China's "visa-exemption circle."
By lowering travel barriers to attract foreign tourists to experience China firsthand and break the stereotypical narratives of Western media, this move has been evaluated by foreign media as "breaking the geopolitical isolation through people's livelihood convenience."
In summary, this visa exemption is an open dividend actively released by China. In the short term, it will boost Sino-British trade and cultural exchanges, but its long-term effectiveness depends on the recovery of flights, the advancement of mutual convenience, and the deepening of public trust.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1855711212559372/
Statement: The article represents the views of the author alone.