ISTANBUL

China has granted a 30-day visa-free travel to UK nationals Thursday as the two sides move to combat transnational crime and illegal immigration in a series of agreements.

"Today’s agreements will also see China relax visa rules for British citizens - ending the requirement for travel under 30 days," said a statement from the British government. "It will mean people visiting China on business - as well as tourism - will be able to visit China visa-free."

The agreements came after Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for talks in Beijing.

China has implemented visa-free entry for dozens of countries, granting unilateral visa-free access to 48 nations, as the world's second-largest economy "welcomed 82 million arrivals by foreign nationals last year.”

More than 70% of travelers enjoyed visa-free access, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Starmer’s visit marks the first time a British prime minister has traveled to China since 2018, and comes amid tensions about US tariffs, as well as strains among Western allies about issues, including US ambitions in Greenland.

The prime minister is accompanied by 60 leaders from the business, academic and cultural sectors.

During their 80-minute meeting, Xi urged both countries to advocate and practice true multilateralism “as supporters for multilateralism and free trade.”

“International law can only be truly effective when all countries abide by it,” he said, adding that major countries “should take the lead in particular, otherwise, the world would risk regressing into the law of the jungle.”

The Chinese president urged London and Beijing to make global governance “more just and equitable” and work toward an “equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization,” according to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning.

He also urged cooperation in sectors such as education, medical, finance and services, as well as joint research and industrial transformation in areas including artificial intelligence, bioscience, new energy and low-carbon technologies.

Football gift to Xi

Starmer gifted Xi a football used during last weekend’s English Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal, according to the BBC. Xi is reportedly a fan of Manchester United.

The first trip to China by a British prime minister in eight years is “far too long,” Starmer told Xi.

Separately, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said the two leaders held a “successful meeting.”

“The two leaders agreed that China and the UK will develop a long-term and consistent, comprehensive strategic partnership," Guo said at a news conference in Beijing.

"This reflects the two sides latest aspiration for China-UK relations, and also provides a sound and stable expectation for cooperation between various sectors of the two sides,” he said.

Taiwan and Hong Kong were also discussed, according to a Chinese Foreign Ministry readout.

London’s long-standing policy on Taiwan remains unchanged and will not change, said the readout. The UK does not recognize Taiwan as a state or maintain diplomatic relations.

Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability are in the common interest of both countries, and the UK welcomes Hong Kong as “a unique and important bridge” between the two countries, it added.

The leaders also discussed the Ukraine crisis, along with other international and regional issues.

After Xi, Premier Li Qiang hosted Starmer, during which he urged the two sides to "leverage their complementary advantages to expand and improve the bilateral trade."

Beijing is willing to conduct exchanges more frequently with London, Li said, urging the two sides to enhance exchanges and alignment in economically related areas, and to deepen cooperation in emerging industries, including AI and advanced manufacturing.

Li and Starmer signed multiple cooperation agreements after the meeting.

China, UK sign 10 pacts

Beijing and London signed 10 agreements, including combating transnational crime and illegal immigration, the establishment of a bilateral services partnership and a joint feasibility study for a UK-China trade in services agreement.

Others include co-operation conformity assessment, exports from the UK to China, strengthening the work of the UK-China Joint Economic and Trade Commission, co-operation in domiciliary services and sports industries, as well as food safety, animal and plant quarantine, health co-operation and collaboration in technical and vocational education and training (TVET).

Li and Starmer also hosted the UK-China Business Council, bringing together the UK delegation with CEOs and Chairs of leading Chinese companies.