BEIJING, Jan 29 (Reuters) - China has agreed to relax rules for British citizens visiting the country, allowing them to visit visa-free for a trip of under 30 days, a statement from UK Prime Minister
China Eases Visa Restrictions for UK Citizens During PM's Beijing Visit
New Visa Policies and Economic Implications
BEIJING, Jan 29 (Reuters) - China agreed to relax rules to allow some visa-free travel for British citizens on Thursday during a visit by Prime Minister Keir Starmer to Beijing, as part of a partnership deal which London hopes will help expand its service sector.
Details of Visa-Free Travel
British citizens will be allowed to visit China without a visa if they are travelling for under 30 days, Starmer said following his talks with President Xi Jinping, in what he cast as a win for business.
Impact on UK Economy
Companies had been "crying out for ways to grow their footprints in China", a statement from Starmer said, adding that visa-free travel would help facilitate expansion in that market, boosting jobs at home.
Future Partnerships with China
Injecting growth into Britain's relatively sluggish economy is one of the main aims of his four-day trip.
As part of what Britain called a "new partnership", the two countries also agreed to conduct a feasibility study which could pave the way towards a bilateral services agreement, which would further help British firms doing business in China.
Britain's economy is underpinned by its huge services sector and the partnership will aim to grow links in the healthcare, financial and professional services, legal services, education and skills sectors, the statement said.
Britain exports 13 billion pounds worth of services to China annually, it added, and demand from China is growing.
(Reporting by Andrew MacAskill and Muvija M, writing by Sarah Young, editing by Catarina Demony and William James)
