First group of visa-free travelers from Canada, UK arrive in Shanghai

The first group of visa-free travelers from Canada and the UK arrived in Shanghai on Tuesday, as a new visa-waiver policy for the two countries officially came into effect.

The new measure means ordinary passport holders from both Canada and the UK are eligible for visa-free entry for stays of up to 30 days for tourism, business, family visits, exchanges or transit purposes. The policy will be effective until Dec 31 this year, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

The move came following recent visits to China by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, with the two countries respectively pledging to deepen ties and exchanges with China.

In the early hours of Tuesday, amid a festive Chinese New Year atmosphere at the Shanghai Pudong International Airport, a flight from Manila landed, bringing in the first batch of visa-free travelers from Canada and the United Kingdom.

The newly-arrived passengers have welcomed the policy, which they say will even encourage them to make more trips to the country in the future.

"The new free visa [policy] for the UK [is] very convenient, makes traveling a lot easier. [I will] probably come back, stay in Shanghai or somewhere else in China for a few days," said a British traveler.

"[The new policy is] really good; 30 days is really helpful for Canadians. We are happy to come again and again," said a Canadian passenger.

The implementation of the visa-free measure coincided with the first day of the Year of the Horse on the Chinese lunar calendar, adding more poignancy to the occasion.

"Thank you for giving us the opportunity, it makes a big difference. Wish you a happy new year. I hope you guys have a nice celebration today," said another Canadian traveler.

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 program.

The extended visa-free policy has also driven steady growth in passenger flows at Shanghai's ports of entry. Since the beginning of this year, Shanghai immigration authorities have processed 636,000 inbound visits, up more than 30 percent year on year.

First group of visa-free travelers from Canada, UK arrive in Shanghai

New York's skyline glowed with a festive touch on Sunday evening as the Dream Wheel, widely known as the "Eye of New York," was illuminated in dazzling red to mark the Chinese New Year and the arrival of the Year of the Horse.

Towering over "American Dream" -- the largest shopping and entertainment complex in the northeastern United States -- the landmark ferris wheel is the complex's crowning architectural feature.

As hundreds of guests and local residents counted down in unison at a lighting ceremony, the Dream Wheel gradually lit up, erupting in a brilliant and celebratory Chinese red. The radiant display painted the sky above the venue, sending blessings for the Year of the Horse -- symbolizing hope, good fortune, and strength -- across the greater New York area.

"It's a great pleasure to have the Chinese people to be near us. I've been in China myself more than 20 times and I love Chinese people -- really respect the Chinese people very much. Happy New Year to all of the Chinese people," said Galmez, an invited guest.

The promotional video for the China Media Group (CMG)'s 2026 Spring Festival Gala was also screened at the event. The festive visuals captured the attention of local shoppers and tourists, many of whom paused to watch and pulled out their phones to record the special moment.

As the reach of the Gala's promo extends to more iconic overseas landmarks, Chinese New Year traditions are being shared with global audiences in increasingly vivid and accessible ways -- bringing the warmth of the festival closer to people around the world.

"New Year is to -- you build it upon each other to make the world a better place. It's a new start, like a new day always is, but it's a Year of the Horse now. You're valuable people. You're amazing, beautiful, talented people who have carried tradition and art form down to us. We appreciate that greatly," said Morgan, a local resident.

"Dream Wheel" lit in red to celebrate Chinese New Year in New York