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China grants Canadians visa free travel.

Canadian PM Carney has confirmed that Canadians can enjoy the same visa free travel to China as Australians now enjoy.

A new era of trade and travel relationships is opening. A wonderful country with history stretching back before the Greek and Roman civilisations. Circa Egyptian times. Notwithstanding the often-overwhelming number of people, it offers a chance for the open minded and capitalistic entrepreneurs to do business while enjoying centuries old architecture and customs. Home to fireworks that, every year on January 1st light up the Sydney Coat hanger to celebrate the birth of a nation. The chance to be scammed into buying a Ming Dynasty (replica) vase.

London is home to the LME (owned by Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited) and LBMA. Shanghai is home to SMM (Shanghai Metals Market) where rare earth prices are determined. This interests me. You might just see me and some mates loitering here. https://lynasrareearths.com/

For most of my life I had access to Hong Kong and Macau. Nearly China but not quite. Hong Kong along with Singapore was always a must go for fashion for the women in my family and their friends. Closer than Europe and great prices because of tax free trading status.

Mandarin is taught in our high schools. I have tried to learn along with my daughters as they practised. My Chinese friends in Shanghai tell me that when I try to speak Mandarin that my accent is horrible. Now because we are good friends, they just laugh at me. Reading and writing are a lifetime conquest.

There are several travel companies in Australia which have grasped the opportunities and developed tour packages.

Also, Lonely Planet’s co-creator, Tony Wheeler (former POM now dinky-di Aussie) offers advice on China and Southeast Asia travel. His report on driving his MGB through China, Asia, Europe to Uk. https://tonywheeler.com.au/tag/china/

My Canadian cousins, go enjoy. Join us in this privilege.

Regards Ron

Posted by
1087 posts

EU citizens also get visa free travel to China as of last year (not yet UK unless that's also changed recently). We went in October and had an amazing time- I agree everyone should visit. It was easier to travel there than I thought it would be.

Posted by
4706 posts

As a Canadian planning to go to China in 2027, this got me all excited....except I want to go for longer than 30 days so a visa is still required. I know for most, however, that 30 day visa free visit may have appeal.

Posted by
15874 posts

Re: to reading this is what I have been told by Americans and Germans engaged in studying and learning Mandarin in the university: that one needs to master ca. 1,000 characters in order to read an average newspaper.

Posted by
785 posts

Smart move by China as more of the world pivots away from the United States.

Posted by
1799 posts

We went to China for three weeks back in 2012. It still might be our best trip ever, and we were solidly on the well worn tourist path. That said, I'm a bit leery to return after the experience of the two Michaels. Maybe now it would feel safer.

Posted by
887 posts

Fwiw, it was the late Canuck politician Jack Layton who once resolved our delayed-visa issue and saved our trip. His widow, Olivia Chow, is currently the mayor of Toronto.
I am done. the large nations

Posted by
887 posts

Andrea, I too have reservations about returning cos my name could possibly be on some blacklist. While we were visiting Huanglong park en route to Jiuzhaigou, a power-hungry young cop needlessly hassled our wonderful young guide Lucy. For no reason whatsoever, he accused her of having false papers. She was in fact from a well-regarded Beijing agency and had led previous tours for American senator groups and like that. That cop was a certified asshole.

I stood up for poor Lucy. It got ugly.
I am done. the memory and the Michaels