China has agreed to allow British citizens to travel to the country for up to 30 days without a visa, Downing Street has confirmed, marking a significant shift in travel access between the two countries.

The announcement followed a meeting in Beijing between UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Chinese President Xi Jinping, during which Sir Keir became the first British leader to visit China in eight years. The visit signals a renewed diplomatic push by the UK government to reset relations with Beijing after a prolonged period of tension.

Alongside the visa agreement, the trip resulted in a trade deal that will see import taxes on UK whisky cut from 10 percent to 5 percent. The move forms part of the government’s wider strategy to strengthen economic ties with China as it looks to support growth in key export sectors.

The visa-free arrangement is expected to benefit hundreds of thousands of travellers. According to figures from the Office for National Statistics, around 620,000 British citizens travelled to China in 2024. Once implemented, the policy would simplify travel for tourists, business travellers and those visiting friends or family.

There is currently no confirmed date for when the visa-free scheme will come into force, though the government has indicated it hopes implementation will happen as soon as possible.

Despite the potential economic and travel benefits, the move has drawn criticism from some quarters. Opponents argue that the UK should approach its relationship with China more cautiously, citing concerns around national security and China’s human rights record.