China will begin granting visa-free entrance to nationals of five Latin American countries on June 1, in an effort to boost ties with the area, according to the Associated Press.
Brazilian, Argentine, Chilean, Peruvian, and Uruguayan citizens will be able to stay in China for up to 30 days without a visa under a one-year experimental programme, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on Thursday.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said the policy reflects China’s commitment to enhance cooperation with Latin America and encourage cultural and economic exchange.
“We welcome more foreign friends to visit China, to experience the colourful and vibrant China,” Lin said during a press briefing.
The announcement comes after the China-Community of Latin American and Caribbean States Forum ministerial conference, which took place in Beijing earlier this week as part of China’s larger push to strengthen global connections and reduce reliance on conventional Western alliances.
In addition to Latin American countries, China has lately extended visa-free travel to a number of European countries, as well as Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Malaysia.
A similar bilateral visa exemption deal with Uzbekistan will go into effect on June 1.
