China’s ambassador questions PM Mark Carney’s claim on visa-free travel for Canadians, saying Beijing has made no final decision yet.
A Promise That May Be Premature
China’s ambassador to Canada is pushing back on Prime Minister Mark Carney’s claim that Canadians will soon travel to China without a visa. Instead, he says Beijing is still weighing its options.
Speaking to The Canadian Press in Ottawa, Ambassador Wang Di made it clear that no final decision has been announced. While discussions continue, certainty does not exist yet.
As a result, Canadians hoping for easier access to mainland China may need to wait a little longer.
Ambassador Urges Patience
According to Wang, Prime Minister Carney publicly stated that China had agreed to visa-free entry for Canadians. However, Wang stressed that the Chinese government has not confirmed that position.
“For the exact visa policy, we must wait for an official announcement,” Wang said through an interpreter.
Meanwhile, Chinese state media has not echoed Carney’s remarks. In addition, Global Affairs Canada offered no immediate response to the ambassador’s comments.
What Carney Said in Beijing
Earlier this month, during a press conference in Beijing, Carney told reporters that President Xi Jinping had committed to visa-free access for Canadians visiting China.
However, no formal statement from Beijing followed that claim. Because of that silence, questions quickly surfaced about the timeline—and even the certainty—of the policy change.
No Timeline, No Details
When asked about timing or length of stay, Wang said he had no information to share.
That said, he pointed out that China already allows citizens from dozens of countries to stay in mainland China for up to 30 days without a visa. Those countries include most of Europe and several developed Asian nations.
By comparison, Canadians still face a long application process and fees of about $140 to enter mainland China.
Some Visa-Free Access Already Exists
Even so, Canadians do enjoy limited visa-free travel within China. They can already visit Hong Kong, Macau, and Hainan province without a visa.
Meanwhile, Canada requires most Chinese visitors to obtain a visa, which costs roughly $185 per person.
Beijing Wants More Travel
Despite the uncertainty, Wang emphasized that China supports stronger people-to-people ties.
He said easier travel would boost cultural exchange and deepen cooperation between both countries. According to him, encouraging travel remains a long-standing Chinese policy.
Travel Slowly Rebounds After COVID
Travel between Canada and China has improved since the pandemic, although progress has been slow.
China restored group tours to many countries in 2023 but delayed reopening them to Canada. Those limits finally ended last November.
At the same time, flight capacity has increased only gradually. One major reason involves Canada’s rule banning flights that cross Russian airspace. That policy aims to keep competition fair after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Tourism Ties Look Ahead to 2026
During Carney’s recent visit to Beijing, both countries signed a tourism agreement. Under the deal, national tourism boards will work together on campaigns tied to nature, sister cities, and major events.
Notably, those promotions will include the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Bottom Line
For now, visa-free travel to China remains a possibility—not a promise. While talks continue, Canadians should wait for official word from Beijing before packing their bags.
