Belgians could be exempted from short-stay visas for China

Belgian citizens could soon be exempted from requiring a visa for short trips to China, Belgian Foreign Affairs minister Hadja Lahbib announced on Friday after talks with Chinese officials.

Five European Union countries currently enjoy this privilege: France, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy and Spain. The list could soon be expanded, and Belgium is keen to be included.

"It would be a significant step forward"

Lahbib spoke to her counterpart Wang Yi and president Xi Jinping on Friday during a diplomatic mission to China alongside Belgian prime minister Alexander De Croo. According to Lahbib, the Chinese leadership is positive about the Belgian request.

"It would be a significant step forward. One could certainly say that Belgium is part of this family of countries that are already benefiting from this," she said.

^{Belgian Foreign minister Hadja Lahbib and Chinese Foreign minister Wang Yi before a diplomatic meeting in Beijing, China, on 12 January 2024 © BELGA PHOTO BENOIT DOPPAGNE}