China Opens Borders to Citizens of the United Kingdom and Canada: End of Visa Requirement

The People's Republic of China continues its strategy of opening its borders to selected Western partners. According to an official statement from the diplomatic ministry, from February 17, 2026, citizens of the United Kingdom and Canada will be covered by unilateral visa-free travel. The new regulations apply to holders of ordinary passports and allow stays of up to 30 days for tourism, business, family visits, or transit purposes. This is a direct consequence of the official visits by the heads of government of both countries to Beijing, which took place this January. Experts indicate that this move aims to stimulate the post-pandemic economy and strengthen people-to-people exchange. The Five Eyes alliance is a system of close intelligence cooperation initiated in 1941 by the USA and the United Kingdom, later joined by Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.Analysts point to the geopolitical dimension of this decision. By selectively granting visa privileges, Beijing may be seeking to create divisions within the Five Eyes Alliance. Once the new regulations take effect, the United States will remain the only member of this agreement whose citizens still must apply for visas before traveling to China. This situation may be perceived as a deliberate gesture targeting the administration of Donald Trump, contrasting with the more conciliatory stance of London and Ottawa. „Holders of ordinary passports from these countries may enter China visa-free for business, tourism, visiting relatives or friends, exchange, or transit purposes.” — Chinese Foreign Ministry Statement30 days — is the maximum visa-free stay period for eligible citizensThe expansion of the visa-free policy fits into a broader trend, within which China had previously waived visa requirements for citizens of many European (including Poland) and Asian countries. This is intended not only to improve China's image on the international stage but also to attract foreign investment. However, the lack of reciprocity from Beijing – Chinese citizens still require visas to enter Canada or the United Kingdom – underscores the unilateral nature of this diplomatic decision.Liberal media emphasize the opportunity for dialogue and refreshing economic relations with China while maintaining alliance security. | Conservative media warn of a Chinese divide-and-rule policy aimed at breaking the unity of Western intelligence systems.