Beijing News: UK Visa-Free Travel Clarification & Art Biennale

Beijing is a happening city! Don't miss a thing with our weekend roundup of the latest news.

UK to China Visa-Free Travel Clarification

With UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s recent state visit to Beijing, there have been a number of reports that UK citizens will now be able to travel to China without the need for a visa if the duration of their trip is shorter than 30 days. However, no similarly explicit news has come from the Chinese side, with announcements simply (and precisely) stating that China is “actively considering” the issue of visa-free travel for UK citizens, while also stressing the importance of a reciprocal approach to cultural exchanges and travel facilitation.

While the outlook in this regard does seem positive, there are currently no specific details or timelines released for any new visa policy implementation regarding the travel of UK citizens to China.

Beijing International Art Biennale 

The 10th Beijing International Art Biennale is in full swing, showcasing nearly 600 works of art from around 120 countries and regions. A number of different types of art are featured, including painting, sculpture, digital media, and immersive installations, all assembled with the goal of guiding visitors to rethink how art connects people, culture and thought in our current fast-paced and changing times.

This year’s theme is “Coexistence,” and issues of interaction, conflict, cultural identity and integration, traditions, ecosystems and environmental awareness, and technological influence are explored through the exhibited art. There are themed exhibitions, special exhibitions, and country-specific exhibition areas, and visitors will find everything from large-scale installations to small-scale experimental works.

There is also an international art conference element to the exhibition, bringing together the perspectives of artists, critics, curators and museum personnel in the hopes of using art to inspire reflection on and new understandings of the contemporary world.

The 10th Beijing International Art Biennale is taking place at the Beijing Exhibition Center until Feb 28. Tickets are RMB 68. Scan the QR code in the poster above for tickets and more information. 

Beijing Exhibition Center 北京展览馆
135 Xizhimenwai Dajie, Xicheng District
西城区西直门外大街135号

READ: Culturopolis FAQs & Getting to Langyuan Station

Images: Unsplash, The 10th Beijing International Art Biennale