Expanding visa-free ‘circle of friends’ shows China’s focus on openness, cooperation
Global Times
China’s visa-free “circle of friends” has once again expanded. Effective June 1, China began implementing a trial policy that unilaterally grants visa-free entry to citizens of Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru and Uruguay. Beginning June 9, the policy will also apply to Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain. These initiatives vividly reflect China’s diplomatic approach of promoting openness and win-win cooperation. More importantly, they serve as concrete steps toward building a new network of Global South cooperation.
By including five representative Latin American countries in its visa-free “circle of friends,” China has not only broadened the geographical reach of the policy, but also demonstrated its strategic emphasis on emerging markets and the development of China-Latin America relations. With this move, the number of countries eligible for China’s unilateral visa-free entry has grown to 43 – a global “visa-free network” grounded in mutual benefit and win-win cooperation is steadily taking shape.
“From a broader diplomatic perspective, this move represents a concrete implementation of China’s Global Civilization Initiative. It aims to promote dialogue and mutual learning among civilizations and foster a more open and inclusive international order,” Pan Deng, director of the Latin American and Caribbean Region Law Center at the China University of Political Science and Law, told the Global Times.
The introduction and implementation of the visa-free policy is a timely response to the growing closeness of China-Latin America ties and reflects China’s proactive approach to advancing cooperation. As visa-free access continues to expand, China-Latin America relations are poised to expand. Sectors such as tourism, educational exchanges, youth interactions and small business cooperation may emerge as new growth points.
The policy creates new opportunities for deeper cultural exchange between Latin American and Chinese societies. “With institutional facilitation, more frequent people-to-people exchanges will improve mutual understanding and strategic trust, making cooperation more stable, the network more interconnected, and the content more substantial,” said Pan.
At a time when some countries are building “small yards and high fences” and tightening visa restrictions, China continues to expand its visa-free circle – from Latin America to the Middle East – constructing a global network of humanistic connectivity based on mutual benefit and win-win cooperation. This expanding network is a concrete manifestation of China’s commitment to multilateralism and to promoting Global South cooperation.
“China’s expanding visa-free circle of friends is more than just a facilitation measure – it is a key component of China’s diplomatic approach of high-level opening-up and fostering Global South cooperation. It challenges the Western-dominated tradition of ‘visa politics’ and reflects China’s strategic resolve to become more open as it grows,” said Pan.
Against the backdrop of the “de-risking” rhetoric promoted by some Western politicians, China is advancing globalization through policies that emphasize connectivity and development. “Multilateralism is about concrete actions,” and China’s visa-free policy is a vivid embodiment of that principle. As the coverage of this “visa-free network” continues to expand, the cultural ties and strategic connections among Global South countries will become even stronger. This is not just a small step for facilitating international travel, but a big step toward building a more inclusive, interconnected, and multipolar world.
