Xi Signals Possible Visa-Free Entry for UK Citizens in Talks with Starmer
During the 90-minute meeting, Xi emphasized the importance of closer social and cultural ties, saying, “Both sides should enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and further facilitate travel,” as stated by official accounts of the discussion.
China has already expanded visa-free access to a wide range of countries, unilaterally granting entry without visas to 48 nations as part of broader efforts to encourage international engagement.
Starmer’s trip is significant, marking the first visit by a British prime minister to China since 2018. It comes at a time of heightened global trade tensions linked to US tariffs and growing friction among Western allies over several geopolitical issues, including US ambitions in Greenland.
The UK leader is traveling with a delegation of around 60 figures from the business, academic, and cultural communities, highlighting a push for cooperation beyond politics alone.
Xi also urged both countries to promote and uphold multilateral cooperation, describing them as “as supporters for multilateralism and free trade.” Stressing the importance of international norms, he said, “International law can only be truly effective when all countries abide by it,” warning that major powers in particular must set an example, otherwise “the world would risk regressing into the law of jungle.”
He further called on London and Beijing to work together to make global governance “more just and equitable” and to advance an “equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization,” according to official Chinese statements.
In addition, Xi encouraged expanded cooperation in fields such as education, medicare, finance, and services, while also promoting joint research and industrial development in areas including artificial intelligence, bioscience, new energy, and low-carbon technologies.
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