Peruvian national Marcel Sanchez Lopez is preparing to return to China for the first time since 2017. This time, he will no longer face the lengthy and complex visa procedures that once made travel difficult.
“As the CEO of a large energy company, I used to find traveling to China quite challenging,” said Sanchez, whose firm has maintained a long-term partnership with Tianjin Zhongyou Renewable Energy Co., a Chinese natural gas equipment supplier. “Now, with visa-free entry, I can bring my family along and combine business with tourism.”
Starting June 1, 2025, citizens from Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Chile, and Uruguay can enter China without a visa for business, tourism, cultural exchanges, or transit, for stays of up to 30 days. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced this policy will be trialed until May 31, 2026.
The new visa exemption was unveiled at the fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-Latin America and Caribbean Community (CELAC) Forum held earlier this month in Beijing. It is part of China’s broader push to expand visa waivers and deepen friendly exchanges with Latin American and Caribbean nations.
For Chinese companies trading with the region, the move is seen as a long-awaited breakthrough. “This removes a major bottleneck in our operations,” said Yang Ruian, General Manager of Tianjin-based Zhongyou Natural Gas, which exports products to Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Chile, and Brazil. “Clients can now visit our factories, attend product demos, and receive training without waiting weeks or months for visas.”
Sanchez noted that visa restrictions had often hindered cooperation over the past eight years of working with Zhongyou. “We frequently had to cancel trips and rely solely on remote support. Face-to-face meetings are a real step forward,” he added.
Yu Haibo, associate professor of Tourism Management at Tianjin Nankai University, said the visa policy and streamlined entry procedures show China’s firm commitment to high-level openness.
Senior Chinese official Yu Zhengsheng emphasized that such measures reflect China’s determination to guide economic globalization toward greater vitality, inclusiveness, and resilience.
Over the past decade, trade between China and Latin America and the Caribbean has doubled, reaching $518.4 billion in 2024. Chinese goods, including leading electric vehicles, are widely exported to the region, while Latin American products are increasingly popular in China. Chilean cherries and Argentine beef, in particular, have become staples in Chinese households.
Sun Yanfeng, researcher at the Latin America Institute of the China Academy of International Studies, said Latin American countries aim to boost exports through ties with China. He added the visa exemption will greatly ease travel for entrepreneurs, especially from small and medium enterprises.
Tianjin Free Trade Service Co., a major provider to thousands of exporters, is preparing for increased visits. Manager Du Chen said, “Removing visa barriers will bring Latin American partners right to our doorstep. People will be more willing to come, visit, and build trust.”
Elizabeth Milagros Alvarado Tacco, a Peruvian graduate student at Tianjin Foreign Studies University, said the visa-free policy will speed up business activities, making it easier for Latin American entrepreneurs to negotiate, tour factories, or attend trade fairs.
She added, “This will also support international team exchanges, improve multinational project coordination, and reduce costs and processing times. Overall, it will enhance investment and cooperation between both sides.”
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