Beijing welcomes British tourists as visa-free agreement takes effect

China

Beijing welcomes British tourists as visa-free agreement takes effect

2026-02-17 22:27 Last Updated At：23:07

A landmark visa-free arrangement for British passport holders to enter China officially came into force on Tuesday, coinciding with the start of the Year of the Horse, with many believing the move will inspire more UK travelers to come and explore the wonders of China.

As China celebrates its Spring Festival, the most important annual holiday marking the Chinese New Year, British visitors arriving in Beijing on Monday were given a special surprise as they were invited to take part in a lucky draw, with some touristy prizes on offer.

Travelers were encouraged to randomly pick an envelope, the contents of which included a range of gift packages such as tickets to the famous Great Wall or Peking Opera performances, as well as other curated holiday routes, giving international visitors an instant invitation to join in with China's festive celebrations.

"I like how everyone is really friendly. And the food is really great. And I love history, so I'm going to the Forbidden City," said Amy, one of the newly-arrived tourists.

Meanwhile, Kaelan Meehan, another British tourist, revealed he has a packed schedule ahead in the coming days. He said he will be heading to the far northeastern city of Qiqihar to visit his wife's family, before heading nearly 3,000 kilometers south to take in the stunning scenery of the UNESCO World Heritage Listed site of Zhangjiajie in central China's Hunan, which is known for inspiring the blockbuster 'Avatar' movie series.

"We are going to Qiqihar, which is where the family is, spending a few days there. And then going to Zhangjiajie to do some sightseeing. And then Beijing to see the Summer Palace, which we were planning on, which is good, and then the Great Wall," said Meehan.

The warm welcome for these arrivals in Beijing comes alongside new travel facilitation measures which should allow more UK travelers to experience China.

China's Foreign Ministry announced that starting Tuesday, ordinary passport holders from Britain will be eligible for visa-free entry for stays of up to 30 days, for tourism, business, family visits, exchanges or transit. The policy will remain in effect until the end of this year.

It came following British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's four-day official visit to China in January, which marked the first trip by a UK prime minister to the country in eight years, and saw the two sides pledging to strengthen bilateral ties.

For many British travelers, the visa-free announcement brings greater convenience when planning future trips, while officials are also optimistic the move will spur greater enthusiasm for travel.

"I think it's really exciting. I think a lot of people might [find it] daunting thinking about going through a whole visa process just to like travel to a different country. So being able to travel, I think, for 30 days without a visa will be really enticing for people from the UK to want to go and visit China for the first time," said Leah, a tourist who was set to depart from London.

"I believe this visa-free policy will greatly encourage more British people to visit China for tourism, business, and study, boosting people-to-people exchanges and strengthening the foundation of our bilateral ties," said Zhang Li, director of the China National Tourist Office in London.

China has been expanding its visa-waiver policies in recent years to facilitate greater travel convenience, boost international tourism and promote people-to-people exchanges, with the UK and Canada now being added to the growing list of countries eligible for the 30-day visa-free entry.

KMT chairwoman underscores importance of 1992 Consensus during mainland visit

Chairwoman of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party, Cheng Li-wun, on Tuesday underlined the importance of adhering to the 1992 Consensus and opposition to the separatist forces in Taiwan in the cross-Strait relations.

Cheng made the remarks after she arrived in Nanjing City, east China's Jiangsu Province, via Shanghai with her delegation for a mainland visit that will run through Sunday.

Upon arrival in Nanjing, Cheng thanked Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, and mainland authorities for their warm reception. She said the visit is of great significance for maintaining peace in the Taiwan Strait and improving people's well-being.

"It once again proves that the political foundation of the '1992 Consensus' and the opposition to the separatist forces in Taiwan remains evergreen. Historical experience has fully demonstrated that as long as the '1992 Consensus' is adhered to and the separatist forces in Taiwan is opposed, exchanges and dialogues can be conducted across the Taiwan Strait," said Cheng.

Song Tao, head of the Taiwan Work Office of the CPC Central Committee, welcomed Cheng and her delegation in Shanghai.

Song said he believes Cheng's trip would allow her to personally witness the mainland's tremendous developmental achievements under the leadership of Xi and the CPC, as well as the goodwill of the people in the mainland toward compatriots in Taiwan, which will garner high recognition and support from people on both sides of the Strait.

He added that the two parties should prioritize national interests and the well-being of people across the Strait, work together to promote peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, and jointly contribute to the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

At the invitation of CPC Central Committee and Xi Jinping, the delegation is scheduled to visit Jiangsu Province, Shanghai and Beijing, marking the first time in a decade that a KMT chairperson has led a delegation to the Chinese mainland.