Starmer actually got us visa-free travel to China

To my surprise, Britain's prime minister and all-round disappointment Keir Starmer, actually did something useful! He supposedly secured visa-free travel to China for British citizens.

China ♡ UK

Visa free for thee, but not for me

If you didn't know, China has been expanding its visa-waiver programme since 2023, with over 50 countries granted access to the country for up to 30 days without having to fill in a bunch of paperwork in advance. The UK, understandably, was not one of them.

There are consequences for meddling in another country's affairs, and Britain has a long of history of sticking its grubby thumbs into China's business. Nevertheless, I held out hope that Starmer could pull off a miracle.

My wish came true!

Permission granted!

Visahq.com reports:

In one of the most eye-catching outcomes of UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s four-day visit to Beijing, China has agreed to allow holders of ordinary British passports to enter the mainland visa-free for stays of up to 30 days.

What's even more incredible, and eye-rolling, is that this courtesy from China is NOT being reciprocated by the UK. Chinese travellers still need to get a visa to enter old Blighty.

Shanghai, here I come... not

So as much as I'd like to pop over to Shanghai for a weekend, I don't actually have the money to travel. Heck, I can't even afford to go to Tokyo! It's not that I'm poor. I just don't have the disposable income for it at the moment. Hopefully that will change as I find some clients for my new consulting business.

That said, since I've been studying Chinese for almost two years and have watched over 40 dramas, I'm definitely keen to see the country for myself.