China will allow British and Canadian citizens visa-free entry starting Tuesday, expanding its program to 79 countries as part of efforts to boost tourism and business. The policy change follows visits last month by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, both seeking to improve ties with Beijing after recent diplomatic tensions.

Visitors from eligible countries can stay up to 30 days for business, tourism, family visits, and exchange programs. Most European nations already qualify, along with select countries from Latin America, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. Citizens of the United States and Indonesia can enter for 10 days if in transit with onward tickets to different countries.

Business executives and tourists have welcomed the change, as China's visa application process has traditionally been cumbersome. The expansion represents a significant shift in China's approach to international visitors, with the visa-free access set to expire at year's end for most countries, though extensions have occurred previously.