Beijing, May 15 (EFE).- China announced Thursday that from Jun. 1, citizens of Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru and Uruguay will be able to enter China without a visa for stays of up to 30 days.
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Lin Jian confirmed the details of the measure, which had been announced by President Xi Jinping during the recent China-Community of Latin American and Caribbean States ministerial summit.
According to Lin, the policy will be in effect until May 31, 2026, and will allow ordinary port holders to travel to the country for tourism, business, family visits, cultural exchanges, or transit.
The objective, the spokesman said, is to “further facilitate people-to-people exchanges and foster friendly cooperation.”
Lin said China “will continue to expand its opening-up policy” and welcomed more Latin American citizens to “visit, explore, and experience the vitality and diversity” of the country.
The initiative is part of a series of steps taken by Beijing since 2023 to revive tourism and international ties after the prolonged border closures due to the pandemic.
China has already extended the visa-free period for countries such as Spain from 15 to 30 days and has signed reciprocal exemption agreements with another 20 states.
Currently, China is the main trading partner of countries such as Brazil, Chile, and Peru, and has increased its presence in Latin America through infrastructure and trade projects linked to its New Silk Roads initiative. EFE
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