Beijing drops visa requirement for Canadian visitors to China.

China's Foreign Ministry announced Canadians can visit mainland China without a visa for stays up to 30 days through at least the end of the year; the announcement follows a recent visit to Beijing by Prime Minister Mark Carney.

China has announced it will drop the visa requirement for Canadian tourists and business visitors for stays up to 30 days. The Foreign Ministry said the measure starts Tuesday and runs through at least the end of the year. The announcement follows a recent visit to Beijing by Prime Minister Mark Carney, who said President Xi Jinping had committed to visa-free access though China did not previously confirm that pledge. Before this change, most Canadian tourists needed a lengthy application process and paid about $140 in fees to enter mainland China. Key details: - China's Foreign Ministry announced Canadians will not need visas for stays up to 30 days, effective Tuesday and valid through at least the end of the year. - The change is said to apply to both tourists and business visitors. - Previously, most Canadian tourists faced a lengthy application process and roughly $140 in fees to enter mainland China. - China has eased visa rules for other Western countries in recent years as it sought to boost tourism after the COVID-19 pandemic. - Beijing had maintained a visa for Canadians and limited how many Chinese tourism groups could visit Canada during a years-long diplomatic spat. - A month earlier, Prime Minister Mark Carney said President Xi had committed to visa-free access for Canadians, a point China had not confirmed at that time. Summary: The policy removes visa requirements for short Canadian visits and follows recent diplomatic engagement between Ottawa and Beijing. Undetermined at this time whether the measure will be extended beyond the stated period or how implementation details will be handled.