China will offer visa-free entry to nationals of Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay starting June 1, extending the policy for one year. This move brings some of Latin America’s largest economies into alignment with many European and Asian countries that already enjoy similar travel privileges.
The announcement was made on Thursday by Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian during a regular press briefing.
Brazil, Argentina, and Chile rank among the top five economies in Latin America, highlighting the significance of the decision. Until now, visa-free access to China has primarily been available to citizens of several European nations, as well as neighboring countries such as Japan and South Korea.
This new policy follows a high-level forum in Beijing earlier this week involving Chinese officials and representatives from Latin America and the Caribbean. During the event, President Xi Jinping pledged to deepen China’s engagement in the region, announcing a $9 billion credit line and new infrastructure investments.
China’s move also comes in the broader context of shifting global trade dynamics. Earlier this week, Beijing and Washington agreed to suspend reciprocal tariffs on each other’s goods for 90 days, despite the U.S. having recently imposed a 104% tariff on some Chinese imports.
In December, China introduced visa-free travel for citizens of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia, signaling a broader effort to open its borders and strengthen diplomatic and economic ties globally.
