China has agreed to allow British citizens to travel to the country for up to 30 days without a visa, the UK government has confirmed.
The decision was announced after Sir Keir Starmer met President Xi Jinping in Beijing. This marked the first visit to China by a British prime minister in eight years. During the talks, the two leaders focused on improving relations and expanding economic cooperation.
At the same time, both sides agreed to cut import taxes on UK whisky from 10% to 5%. The UK government expects the move to support trade growth and strengthen commercial ties.
However, there is no confirmed date for when the visa-free travel policy will begin. Officials said they are working to put the arrangement in place as soon as possible.
According to government figures, the change could benefit a large number of travellers. About 620,000 people from the UK visited China in 2024.
Downing Street said the decision would place the UK alongside more than 50 countries that already enjoy visa-free access to China. These include France, Germany, Italy, Australia and Japan.
Sir Keir said easier travel would support British businesses operating in China. In addition, he said it would make tourism more accessible. He added that firms had long called for fewer barriers to short-term travel, arguing the changes would support growth, jobs and overseas expansion.
Meanwhile, the two governments agreed to explore the possibility of negotiations on a services agreement. Such a deal would set clear legal rules for UK companies working in China. It could also include recognition of professional qualifications.
The UK is one of the world’s leading exporters of services, including finance, healthcare and legal expertise. Officials said demand for these services in China continues to grow.
Separately, pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca announced plans to invest $15 billion (£10.9 billion) in China by 2030. The investment will include new manufacturing facilities and expanded operations.
Sir Keir also said talks covered cooperation on illegal migration. Under a new agreement, UK and Chinese law enforcement agencies will work together to disrupt the supply of equipment used by smuggling gangs.
According to UK officials, many engines recovered from smuggling operations last year were identified as Chinese-manufactured.
The migration agreement is one of 10 deals signed during the visit. Other agreements cover areas such as exports, education and food safety.
At the same time, the prime minister said he raised human rights concerns during the meeting. These included the imprisonment of pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai and the treatment of Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang. He said engagement was necessary to address disagreements while continuing economic cooperation.
However, the visit has drawn criticism from opposition parties. Conservative figures accused the government of risking national security for economic gains. Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat representatives said stronger trade ties must be balanced with public trust and security concerns.
Sir Keir travelled to Beijing with a delegation of British business and cultural leaders. He said he was seeking a more pragmatic and structured relationship with China.
President Xi said relations between the two countries had faced difficulties in recent years. Nevertheless, he stressed that dialogue remained essential in a changing global environment. He added that cooperation could continue despite differences.
The visit comes as global trade tensions continue to rise. In recent weeks, the United States has warned countries against deepening trade ties with China.
