British and Canadian nationals will be able to travel to mainland China for up to 30 days without a visa beginning Feb. 17, China’s Foreign Ministry said.

The visa-free entry will apply to travel for tourism, business and visits to family and friends. The policy is set to remain in effect through Dec. 31, the BBC reported.

The announcement follows Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s official visit to China last month, during which he and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to ease travel restrictions.

Starmer said the agreement would make it easier for British businesses to expand in China. Critics, however, said efforts to improve relations with Beijing risk overlooking human rights and national security concerns.

In a statement Sunday, China’s Foreign Ministry said the policy would “further facilitate people-to-people exchanges between China and other countries.”

The move brings travel rules for British and Canadian passport holders in line with those of about 50 other countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Australia and Japan.

About 620,000 British residents traveled to China in 2024, according to the U.K.’s Office for National Statistics.

During his January visit, Starmer said British businesses had been seeking greater opportunities to grow their presence in China.

The two leaders also agreed to deepen trade ties in services, health care, green technology and finance, though they did not announce a free trade agreement.

The visit was the first by a British prime minister since Theresa May traveled to China in 2018 and drew criticism from some opposition figures.

Shortly before the trip, Starmer’s government approved plans for a new Chinese embassy in central London, despite objections from critics who said it could pose security risks.