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 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."
Mobile visa scheme
During his week-long trip, Mr Osborne has already
unveiled a deal in which a Chinese firm took a 20%
stake in a new business park in Manchester.
And on Sunday came details of the visa changes.
Currently, Chinese visitors can apply for a single visa to
visit much of Europe but a separate one is required to
travel to the UK.
It is thought that the extra paperwork is deterring
many Chinese visitors from including the UK in a trip to
Europe.
A mobile visa scheme that already operates in Beijing
and Shanghai will be expanded as part of the changes.
Under the mobile service, which was first tested by
executives at Wanda, the company that bought
Sunseeker yachts, officials go out to applicants to
collect their paperwork and biometric data.
The process can take under five minutes.
A 24-hour "super priority" visa service will also be
available from next summer. The moves will be
welcomed by UK businesses who want to benefit from
Chinese tourists.
In his speech, Mr Osborne said: "Let me make this clear
to you and to the whole of China, there is no limit to
the number of Chinese who could study in Britain.
"There is no limit to the number of Chinese tourists
who can visit. No limit on the amount of business we
can do together."
According to the government, last year 210,000 visas
were issued to Chinese nationals and they contributed
around £300m to the UK economy.
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 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."
Mobile visa scheme
During his week-long trip, Mr Osborne has already
unveiled a deal in which a Chinese firm took a 20%
stake in a new business park in Manchester.
And on Sunday came details of the visa changes.
Currently, Chinese visitors can apply for a single visa to
visit much of Europe but a separate one is required to
travel to the UK.
It is thought that the extra paperwork is deterring
many Chinese visitors from including the UK in a trip to
Europe.
A mobile visa scheme that already operates in Beijing
and Shanghai will be expanded as part of the changes.
Under the mobile service, which was first tested by
executives at Wanda, the company that bought
Sunseeker yachts, officials go out to applicants to
collect their paperwork and biometric data.
The process can take under five minutes.
A 24-hour "super priority" visa service will also be
available from next summer. The moves will be
welcomed by UK businesses who want to benefit from
Chinese tourists.
In his speech, Mr Osborne said: "Let me make this clear
to you and to the whole of China, there is no limit to
the number of Chinese who could study in Britain.
"There is no limit to the number of Chinese tourists
who can visit. No limit on the amount of business we
can do together."
According to the government, last year 210,000 visas
were issued to Chinese nationals and they contributed
around £300m to the UK economy.
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