Visa-free entry for closer China-Latin America ties

Editor's note: Xu Ying, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is a Beijing-based international affairs commentator. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

Starting June 1, China has implemented a landmark visa-free entry policy for citizens of Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru and Uruguay – an important move that signals a deepening of relations between China and Latin America. This policy marks more than just an easing of travel formalities. It is a forward-looking gesture of openness, connectivity, and mutual respect, designed to usher in a new era of people-to-people exchange, cultural dialogue, and shared growth.

In a world increasingly defined by geopolitical tensions and fragmentation, China's move stands as a powerful counter-narrative to strengthen global interconnectivity and common development. The expansion of the "visa-free circle" is not merely about boosting inbound tourism. It is an active diplomatic step to deepen ties with Latin America, building on the foundation of mutual trust and strategic cooperation that has taken shape in recent years.

Unlocking the potential of Latin American tourism

The immediate impact of this policy will be seen in the tourism sector. Data from leading travel platforms suggest that the pent-up demand for travel to China in these Latin American nations is substantial and growing. According to Trip.com, inbound travel orders from Argentina surged 168 percent year on year in 2025, while Brazil and Chile saw an increase of over 80 percent. These figures underscore the region's clear interest in exploring China, driven by a mix of cultural curiosity, business opportunities and educational exchanges.

By lifting visa restrictions, China is lowering a significant barrier for Latin American travelers. This policy makes travel more spontaneous, affordable, and convenient – factors crucial for visitors and younger tourists. At a time when global tourism is gradually rebounding post-pandemic, such initiatives will not only boost China's inbound tourism economy but also diversify the tourist demographic.

A two-way cultural decoding

What is truly transformative is the opportunity it creates for a deeper "two-way decoding" of culture – where Latin American and Chinese societies can interact directly, form personal impressions and break through stereotypes.

Latin America and China, despite their geographic distance, share surprising cultural resonances: strong family values, vibrant traditions, artistic expression and a rich legacy of indigenous civilizations. These commonalities, often obscured in official discourse, can come alive through personal exchange. Whether it's Brazilian samba festivals in Shanghai or Chinese calligraphy workshops in Buenos Aires, the visa-free policy creates fertile ground for new dialogues to emerge – not only between governments and businesses, but among artists, students, academics and ordinary travelers.

Reviving the spirit of civilizational dialogue

The essence of this policy lies in its alignment with a broader Chinese vision: promoting civilizational dialogue and value-sharing in an increasingly multipolar world. By facilitating closer societal and cultural ties, China is offering an alternative to the confrontational model of engagement. It affirms that meaningful international relations must be rooted in understanding, not suspicion; in inclusion, not exclusion.

China's longstanding commitment to multilateralism and South-South cooperation finds renewed expression in this visa-free initiative. It is a practical embodiment of the Global Civilization Initiative, which encourages mutual learning among civilizations and respects the diversity of global cultures. Latin America – home to dynamic and diverse societies – becomes not just a partner, but a co-creator of a more balanced and inclusive international order.

Opportunities for education, business, and innovation

This policy also opens doors in education and innovation. Latin American students aspiring to study in China will now find the process more accessible, encouraging academic mobility and language exchange. Business travelers, entrepreneurs and digital nomads will benefit from simplified logistics, enhancing business-to-business collaboration and potentially leading to greater Chinese engagement in Latin American markets and vice versa.

In sectors such as e-commerce, clean energy, fintech, and smart agriculture, there is enormous untapped potential for bilateral innovation. Visa-free travel can serve as a bridge connecting venture capital, research institutions and start-ups from both regions.

Building trust through mobility

Ultimately, this policy will build what is most difficult to quantify but most essential to diplomacy: trust. When citizens of different nations meet face to face, dine at each other's tables, walk through each other's neighborhoods and share stories, a more authentic foundation for international friendship is laid.

It is through this kind of genuine human engagement that the next chapter of China-Latin America relations will be written – not by treaties alone, but by the footsteps of travelers, the laughter in language schools, the applause in concert halls and the shared memories of journeys taken together.

China's visa-free initiative for Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay is a welcome policy – an embrace of openness at a time when the world sorely needs more bridges and fewer barriers. By promoting travel, dialogue and cultural understanding, China is reinforcing its role as a responsible, visionary global actor, one committed to a future defined not by conflict, but by connection.

This policy is a beginning, not an end. It could serve as a model for further engagement between all nations that believe in the power of exchange, respect and shared human values.

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at opinions@cgtn.com. Follow @thouse_opinions on X, formerly Twitter, to discover the latest commentaries in the CGTN Opinion Section.)