In a welcome sign of warming ties, China will lift visa requirements for Canadian tourists and business travellers for stays of up to 30 days starting Tuesday, February 17. The move is being widely seen as the clearest signal yet of a diplomatic reset between Canada and Beijing after years of strained relations.
China’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the visa-free policy will remain in place until at least the end of the year, easing what has long been a costly and time-consuming process for Canadians visiting mainland China. While Canadians already enjoy visa-free access to Hong Kong, Macau, and Hainan, this marks a major shift for travel to the rest of the country.
The announcement follows renewed diplomatic engagement between Ottawa and Beijing. During a recent visit, Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that President Xi Jinping had pledged visa-free access for Canadians — a promise that is now officially confirmed.
Travel industry leaders say the change is already generating excitement, with easier bookings and quicker departures expected. For many Canadians, the policy is more than a travel perk — it’s a hopeful sign that relations between the two countries may finally be back on a steadier footing.
(Source: ET Business Today)
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