© Getty Images The resolution implies a relaxation in relations after a prolonged period of tension between Canada and China.
China is implementing a visa-free scheme for citizens from Canada and the UK, commencing on February 17. Xinhua news agency communicated this on February 15, citing information from a formal spokesperson from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to information from the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s representative, Canadian and British citizens holding standard passports are permitted to enter China without a visa for activities related to commerce, travel, visiting family and friends, exchange programs, and stopovers, with stays limited to a maximum of 30 days.
This regulation will be in effect until December 31, 2026, the Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed.
This is one of the results of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's trip to China and his discussion with Chinese President Xi Jinping in January of the current year.
Canada and China have experienced several years of diplomatic disagreement due to reciprocal citizen detentions and various commercial disagreements, but Carney aims to move forward, partly to lessen reliance on the United States.
As a reminder, during a recent visit to China, Carney described China as a “dependable and predictable partner,” and in Davos, he encouraged European leaders to pursue investments from the world’s second-largest economy. This upset Trump, who hinted that China might attempt to utilize Canada to circumvent American tariffs.
He threatened Canada with tariffs and rescinded an invitation for Canada to participate in his Peace Council project intended to resolve international disputes. This shift in stance occurred following Carney’s speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he openly criticized powerful nations that employ economic integration as an offensive tool and tariffs as a bargaining chip. Simultaneously, Carney stated that Canada would not allocate a billion to Trump for participation in his Peace Council.