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China Eases Travel: British Tourists Set for Visa-Free Visits!

China has unveiled a bombshell policy allowing Brits 30-day visa-free visits! This shocking announcement followed a groundbreaking meeting between PM Sir Keir Starmer and President Xi Jinping—marking the end of an eight-year diplomatic dry spell.

In a surprising twist, the Power Duo struck a deal slashing import taxes on UK whisky from 10% to 5%. It’s all part of a grand bid to bolster trade ties, fueling fire into the UK economy. But not everyone’s playing along. Skeptics warn of China's sketchy human rights record and looming security threats.

While there's no official start date, hopes are high that the changes will roll out pronto. With the UK finally catching up to 50 other nations, including France and Japan, the announcement could soon benefit a whopping 620,000 British travelers expected in China by 2024.

Sir Keir is all about the business boom. His mission? Make expansion into China a breeze for British enterprises eager to stake their claim in this economic powerhouse.

"This is what our businesses have been waiting for," Starmer hailed, eyeing fresh opportunities for growth and job creation back home.

Key Takeaways:

  • Visa-free boon could attract over half a million Brits to China.

  • Tax slash on whisky imports sweetens UK-China trade.

  • Critics sound off on security, but doors swing open for new business ventures.


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Adapted by ASEAN Now from Source 2026-01-29

 

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Grusa Gold Member

Grusa

Advanced Member

"While there's no official start date, hopes are high that the changes will roll out pronto. With the UK finally catching up to 50 other nations, including France and Japan, the announcement could soon benefit a whopping 620,000 British travelers expected in China by 2024."

Really?

Watawattana Gold Member

Watawattana

Advanced Member
On 1/30/2026 at 7:51 AM, ASEAN NOW News said:

Skeptics warn of China's sketchy human rights record and looming security threats.

Oh yeah. The UK has an excellent human rights record.

mikeymike100 Platinum Member

mikeymike100

Advanced Member

Who from the UK would want to go to China, I wonder?

The same kind that like to visit North Korea?

newnative Diamond Member

newnative

Advanced Member
On 1/31/2026 at 9:36 AM, Grusa said:

"While there's no official start date, hopes are high that the changes will roll out pronto. With the UK finally catching up to 50 other nations, including France and Japan, the announcement could soon benefit a whopping 620,000 British travelers expected in China by 2024."

Really?

AI loves to dwell in the past, apparently. Trump is often referred to as 'former President Trump'. So, now we've been transported back to 2024 China. I wouldn't call the announcement 'shocking', by the way, now or in 2024.

Roadsternut Gold Member

Roadsternut

Advanced Member

I follow the channel ItchyBoots; a Dutch lady biking through Centra Asia. Its very interesting, and allows one to travel vicariously in places one would never visit (the people of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan seem incredible, and these are very beautiful countries). She has just crossed into Western China, and particularly, Xinjiang. This is the area the Uyghurs live. The series is painting a very different picture about China than I thought.

But a major challenge China will have is about foreigners who wish to travel independantly in China, particularly on motorbike, or by car. There is significant state control of the sale of petro, illustrated in this video,

Purdey Diamond Member

Purdey

Advanced Member

Good move. Maybe worth another visit. Certain to encourage more tourism an business.

blaze master Diamond Member

blaze master

Advanced Member
On 1/29/2026 at 6:51 PM, ASEAN NOW News said:

a whopping 620,000 British travelers expected in China by 2024.

Cause tonight we're gonna party like its 2024.

shdmn Platinum Member

shdmn

Advanced Member
5 hours ago, Roadsternut said:

I follow the channel ItchyBoots; a Dutch lady biking through Centra Asia. Its very interesting, and allows one to travel vicariously in places one would never visit (the people of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan seem incredible, and these are very beautiful countries). She has just crossed into Western China, and particularly, Xinjiang. This is the area the Uyghurs live. The series is painting a very different picture about China than I thought.

But a major challenge China will have is about foreigners who wish to travel independantly in China, particularly on motorbike, or by car. There is significant state control of the sale of petro, illustrated in this video,

Yes, once you get away from the western media constantly telling us "China bad", and start watching videos from everyday people travelling around in China, you get a very different picture.

Watawattana Gold Member

Watawattana

Advanced Member
19 hours ago, mikeymike100 said:

Who from the UK would want to go to China, I wonder?

The same kind that like to visit North Korea?

5 hours ago, shdmn said:

Yes, once you get away from the western media constantly telling us "China bad", and start watching videos from everyday people travelling around in China, you get a very different picture.

Yeah. I've been to mainland China about a dozen times, to various places. Each time has been a bit of hard work as I can't speak or read mandarin, but always the people have been very friendly and the tourist experience has been really good. Only exception is Sanya in Hainan, which is full of Russians and the locals really don't like them. I was getting roundly ignored in a locals restaurant one day when someone realised I wasn't Russian. The change in attitude was magical.

Watawattana Gold Member

Watawattana

Advanced Member
On 1/31/2026 at 5:15 PM, mikeymike100 said:

Who from the UK would want to go to China, I wonder?

The same kind that like to visit North Korea?

I guess there might be some saying the same about the USA just now? Not been to North Korea, but have been to the DMZ north of Seoul, looked over border and chatted with a defector. Fascinating, but she didn't 'sell' NK to me 😆.

Been to China few times and not had any notable issues - but it is hard work. Been to 43 of the 50 US states and not had any notable issues there either, will happily visit again. My visits have included Chicago; a great city!

NanLaew Star Member

NanLaew

Advanced Member
On 1/31/2026 at 4:15 PM, mikeymike100 said:

Who from the UK would want to go to China, I wonder?

The same kind that like to visit North Korea?

Reform UK voters. Give them a sneak preview of their utopia.

NanLaew Star Member

NanLaew

Advanced Member
11 hours ago, Roadsternut said:

There is significant state control of the sale of petro, illustrated in this video,

So in that regard, nothing much has changed from when I worked in Xinjiang and Qinghai for eight years back in the 80's.

JonnyF Star Member

JonnyF

Advanced Member
On 1/31/2026 at 4:15 PM, mikeymike100 said:

Who from the UK would want to go to China, I wonder?

Maybe those looking for a taste of freedom after the last 18 months living under Starmer's tyranny?

Roadsternut Gold Member

Roadsternut

Advanced Member
4 hours ago, JonnyF said:

Maybe those looking for a taste of freedom after the last 18 months living under Starmer's tyranny?

What would you know about the UK? You live in Thailand or Cambodia. Ah, you read the papers and believe everything you read, except the bits you disagree with.

JonnyF Star Member

JonnyF

Advanced Member
9 minutes ago, Roadsternut said:

What would you know about the UK? You live in Thailand or Cambodia. Ah, you read the papers and believe everything you read, except the bits you disagree with.

We have something called the internet now. It works all over the world. 😄

I'd get my information in the same way whether I was sat in the Gypsy Moth in Greenwich village or Hemingway on soi 11.

I suggest you check something like Ground News to see the extent you are being lied to if you still believe Starmer that the UK is a bastion of free speech.

Eric Loh Star Member

Eric Loh

Advanced Member

This visa relaxation by China is only a small aspect of a larger re-set of economic relationship as countries are finding new paths for greater cooperations with countries and away from the dependency on the US market. The damages that Trump has done to the US economy will be felt long after he is gone. The massive debt, dollar decline, falling influence and domestic polarization will be Trump's legacy.

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