Visa-free access bolsters biz ties with Latin America

TIANJIN — For the first time since 2017, Peruvian national Marcel Sanchez Lopez is preparing to return to China, this time, unburdened by the once cumbersome entry procedures.

"Even as a CEO of a big company, I used to feel that going to China was like facing a sea of troubles," said Sanchez, who leads a major energy firm with longstanding ties to Chinese gas equipment supplier Tianjin Sinogas Repower Energy Co Ltd. "Now that it's visa-free, I'm bringing my family for both business and sightseeing."

Since June 1, 2025, citizens of Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Chile and Uruguay are allowed to enter China without a visa for up to 30 days for business, tourism, cultural exchanges or transit. The policy will run on a trial basis until May 31, 2026.

Unveiled at the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC (the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum in Beijing in May, this policy aligns with China's broader initiative to extend visa exemptions and foster friendly exchanges with more Latin American and Caribbean countries.

For Chinese companies with trade ties in the region, the measure is viewed as a long-awaited step toward meaningful cooperation. "It solves a real bottleneck in our business operations," said Ryan Yang, general manager of Sinogas, a Tianjin-based energy technology firm exporting to Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Chile and Brazil. "Clients can now come for factory inspections, product demos and training sessions without weeks or months of visa delays."

Sanchez, whose company began working with Sinogas eight years ago, said visa constraints often hindered cooperation. "In the past, we had to skip business trips and just rely on remote support from our Chinese partner. Now we can do face-to-face collaboration again, and that's where real progress happens," he added.

China's continued expansion of its visa-free policy and efforts to facilitate entries send a clear signal of the country's commitment to high-standard opening-up, according to Yu Haibo, an associate professor specializing in tourism management at Tianjin-based Nankai University.

These measures demonstrate China's resolve and efforts to promote a more dynamic, inclusive and resilient form of economic globalization, Yu noted.

Trade between China and LAC nations has doubled over the past decade, reaching $518.4 billion in 2024. Chinese products, including its signature electric vehicles, are exported extensively to LAC countries, while goods originating from the region also enjoy popularity in China. Notably, Chilean cherries and Argentine beef have become regular staples in the diets of Chinese households.

Sun Yanfeng, a researcher at the Institute of Latin American Studies under the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, noted that Latin American countries are eager to boost exports through their economic and trade ties with China. The visa-free policy, he added, will greatly facilitate visits by Latin American entrepreneurs, especially those from small and medium-sized enterprises, by simplifying travel procedures.

Tianjin Free Trade Service Co Ltd, a major service provider for thousands of small and medium-sized exporters, has business development teams preparing for more inbound visits. "This policy will bring Latin American partners to our doorstep," said Du Chen, a manager at the company. "Without the visa hurdles, people are more willing to come, to see and to trust."

Elizabeth Milagros Alvarado Taco, a Peruvian graduate student majoring in international business at Tianjin Foreign Studies University, said the visa-free policy will accelerate business activities, making it easier for Latin American entrepreneurs and businessmen to come to China for negotiations, factory visits or trade fairs.

"It can also facilitate the rotation of international teams, improve coordination of multinational projects and reduce costs and processing time. Overall, this convenience will promote bilateral investment and corporate cooperation," she said.

Xinhua