The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that it will exempt citizens of the United Kingdom and Canada from visa requirements starting from February 17, 2023, until December 31, 2026. This exemption applies to various purposes of travel including work, tourism, family visits, exchange visits, and transit stays. The Chinese government stated that the aim of this policy is to further ease exchanges between peoples and strengthen ties between China and these two countries.

During a recent meeting at the Munich Security Conference, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized the importance of collaboration with Canada to ensure healthy and sustainable development of bilateral relations. He mentioned that the recent visit of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to China was fruitful, indicating a desire to improve relations following a period of tension between the two nations over the past few years. The exemption of visa requirements is seen as a significant step to bolster this diplomatic engagement.

This move comes as part of China's broader strategy to enhance international relations and attract tourism and business investments. By facilitating travel for British and Canadian citizens, China is hope to not only increase tourism but also foster deeper cultural and economic exchanges that may prove beneficial for its geopolitical interests. The initiative indicates a thawing in relations with Western nations and a willingness to engage in more cooperative exchanges.