China has decided to extend its visa waiver policy to ordinary passport holders from Canada and the United Kingdom starting Feb 17, when the Year of the Horse begins, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson announced on Feb 15, saying the move aims to further facilitate cross-border travel.

According to the spokesperson, ordinary passport holders from the two countries can enter China without a visa and stay for up to 30 days for business, tourism, family/friends visit, exchange, and transit purposes.

The policy will be effective until Dec 31.