China's ambassador states no formal visa-free policy for Canadians yet, despite PM Carney's remarks. Details await official announcement. Recent talks focused on boosting bilateral exchanges.
Source: OT-Team(G), 观察者网
China has not formally announced visa-free entry for Canadian citizens, its ambassador to Canada said, despite recent public remarks by Prime Minister Mark Carney suggesting the policy would be introduced soon.
In a recent interview with The Canadian Press, Chinese Ambassador Wang Di said the measure has not yet taken effect and that further details depend on an official announcement from Beijing. Observers say this indicates the proposed visa waiver remains under discussion rather than finalized.
"China has indeed noted that Prime Minister Carney has publicly stated that the Chinese side informed him China is actively considering granting unilateral visa-free treatment to Canadian citizens," Wang said. "As for what specific visa policy will be introduced, we still need to wait for an official announcement from the Chinese side."
When asked about the potential timing of any policy adjustment and how long Canadians might be allowed to stay in China without a visa, Wang said no details are available at this stage.
He noted that in recent years China has introduced 30-day visa-free entry policies for citizens of dozens of countries, covering most European nations and several developed Asian economies. Wang added that Beijing hopes to see more frequent people-to-people exchanges to advance the agreements reached between the two countries last week.
"If further facilitation of travel between our two countries can be achieved, it will be beneficial to exchanges between our peoples," he said, emphasizing that China consistently supports and encourages people-to-people ties.
Carney, speaking at a press conference in Beijing on January 16, said the Chinese side had committed to "ensuring that Canadians will enjoy visa-free travel to China." He reiterated the point in a January 18 social media post, writing: "Nearly two million Canadians are of Chinese descent, many with family and friends across the Pacific. As we relaunch this relationship, China has committed to soon allow visa-free entry for Canadian citizens."
So far, neither the Chinese government nor state media have issued statements confirming the claim. Global Affairs Canada has not immediately responded to Wang's comments.
At present, Canadian passport holders can travel visa-free to Hong Kong, Macao, and China's Hainan province, but entry to the Chinese mainland still requires a visa application and associated fees, except for certain transit passengers traveling between Canada and third countries.
Carney's remarks on potential visa-free access have drawn strong interest within Canada's Chinese community, with several community media outlets reporting on the possibility. A travel agency in Burnaby, British Columbia, which primarily serves Chinese-speaking clients in the Greater Vancouver area, said it has received numerous inquiries about visa-free travel to China since Carney's statements. A staff member advised customers to wait for an official announcement from the Chinese government.
In recent years, both countries have taken steps to facilitate travel. In 2024, China reduced visa fees for Canadian applicants.
Carney's visit to China from January 13 to 17 marked the first trip by a Canadian prime minister since 2017. The two sides reached broad consensus on deepening economic and trade cooperation, signed a China–Canada roadmap for economic and trade cooperation, and formed preliminary joint arrangements to address bilateral commercial issues.
They also signed a memorandum of understanding under which the two countries' national tourism authorities will cooperate on promotional activities themed around natural scenery, exchanges between sister cities, and major events including the 2026 FIFA World Cup.