China has agreed to allow British citizens to travel to the country for up to 30 days without a visa, the UK government has announced.
The decision followed talks between Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, marking the first visit by a British leader to China in eight years.
Downing Street said the visa-free arrangement, which is expected to take effect soon, would benefit hundreds of thousands of Britons. Official figures show that about 620,000 UK citizens travelled to China in 2024. The move will bring the UK in line with more than 50 other countries already granted similar access by China.
The announcement came alongside a series of trade-related agreements, including a reduction in import tariffs on UK whisky from 10 per cent to five per cent, as the British government seeks to strengthen economic ties with Beijing to boost growth and jobs.
Sir Keir said relaxed travel rules would make it easier for UK businesses to operate in China and for citizens to visit the country for short stays.
“As one of the world’s major economic powers, businesses have been calling for better access to China. This will help them expand while supporting growth at home,” he said.
Downing Street also disclosed that both countries had agreed to explore negotiations on a services trade agreement, which could open up Chinese markets further to UK firms in sectors such as finance, healthcare and legal services. The UK is currently the world’s second-largest exporter of services.
In addition, pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca announced plans to invest $15 billion (£10.9 billion) in China by 2030, including new manufacturing sites and expanded operations.
During the visit, Sir Keir and President Xi also discussed cooperation on illegal migration. Under a new agreement, UK and Chinese law enforcement agencies will work together to disrupt the supply of small boat engines and equipment used by criminal gangs, many of which are reportedly manufactured in China.
The prime minister said he raised sensitive issues during the talks, including human rights concerns and the detention of pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai, stressing that engagement with China must allow for “mature discussions” on areas of disagreement.
However, the visit has drawn criticism from opposition figures in the UK, who warned that closer ties with China could pose risks to national security. Despite this, both leaders described the talks as constructive, with President Xi calling dialogue between the two countries “imperative” in a turbulent global environment.
