China Offers Visa-Free Entry To Five Countries
Starting June 1, 2025, citizens of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay will be able to enter China without a visa for short stays, following a new policy announced by the Chinese government aimed at strengthening ties with Latin America.
The visa exemption will be in place until May 31, 2026.
During this period, citizens from the five South American countries will be allowed to stay in China for up to 30 days for purposes including tourism, business, visiting friends or family, cultural exchange, or transit.
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Lin Jian, who made the announcement, said the decision reflects China’s commitment to expanding openness and deepening international cooperation.
He noted that the country would continue to explore further measures to ease cross-border travel as part of its broader diplomatic and economic engagement strategy.
This move is widely seen as a significant step in China’s efforts to enhance bilateral relations with Latin American nations.
Observers say it could lead to increased travel, trade, and cultural partnerships between China and the participating countries.
The visa-free policy comes as China accelerates its diplomatic push in Latin America, an increasingly strategic region for its global trade and investment ambitions.
In recent years, China has signed several infrastructure and energy deals across the continent and continues to expand its influence through initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative.
The announcement also follows a wave of similar visa-free policies introduced by China for several European and Asian countries in the past year.
It underscores a growing trend in Beijing’s foreign policy to use relaxed visa rules as a tool for economic diplomacy.
Analysts believe the new arrangement could also boost tourism revenue and promote cultural exchange programmes.
It remains unclear whether the visa-free policy will be extended beyond May 2026, but Lin Jian hinted at the possibility of future extensions or inclusion of more countries based on the success of the current arrangement.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
