China’s government in Beijing has removed visa requirements for Canadian tourists and business travelers visiting the Asian nation of 1.4 billion people.
Political pundits say it is the latest sign of thawing relations between Canada and China after years of animosity.
The visa withdrawal comes as Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government works to put relations with Beijing on a more positive track.
China’s Foreign Ministry says Canadians will no longer be required to get visas for 30-day stays, effective immediately.
Previously, entering mainland China required a lengthy application process and $140 in fees for most Canadians.
However, Canadian travelers could visit the Chinese regions of Hong Kong, Macau and Hainan province without a visa.
Removal of the visa requirement is expected to boost Canadian travel to China and help China’s economy, which has slowed since the Covid-19 pandemic.
The visa removal could pave the way for China to open more direct airline flights to Canadian cities such as Vancouver and Toronto.
Previously, the Chinese government restricted how many Chinese tourists could visit Canada in a given year and also barred group visits to Canada.
Carney visited Beijing in January of this year, the first visit by a Canadian prime minister to mainland China in eight years.
The Canadian prime minister sought to reset relations with China after years of acrimony over diplomatic and trade disputes.
During Carney’s January visit to Beijing, the two governments agreed to have their tourism boards collaborate on promotional campaigns for events such as this year’s World Cup.
