Visa applications for Chinese visitors entering the UK will be simplified, Chancellor George Osborne has announced during his trade trip to China.
Under the plan, Chinese nationals visiting the EU will not need to submit separate UK visa applications if they book with selected travel agents.
Mr Osborne is trying to persuade more Chinese companies to invest in the UK.
But he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that his trip was also about changing British attitudes to China.
“Many people think of China as a sweat shop on the Pearl River. Yet it is at the forefront of medicine, computing and technology. It’s a very rapidly changing country.”
Earlier, Mr Osborne told an audience of students that his visit was about “much more than a collection of business deals”.
“What I really want it to be about is strengthening the understanding between our two nations, deepening our friendship, working out where by working together we can improve the lives of all our citizens,” he said in a speech to university students in Beijing.
“Yes, of course, we have differences, different political systems, we attach value to different things, and we shouldn’t be afraid of pointing out where we disagree.
“But let us not do it in a way that is not respectful of each other and tries to understand each other, and let us try to overcome our differences and work together in peaceful co-operation.
“Because ultimately we want the same thing – a better life for our citizens.”
Adam Marshall, director of policy at business lobby group the British Chambers of Commerce, said UK businesses would “breathe a collective sigh of relief” at the plans to simplify Chinese visa applications.
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