Overview
- Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning announced tour operators may resume group trips to Canada and urged Ottawa to ensure a safe, pleasant environment for visitors.
- Tourism leaders say the decision can accelerate the return of high‑spending Chinese visitors and help rebuild air links, with 2025 arrivals still under 60% of 2019’s more than 700,000.
- Key trade disputes remain unresolved, including Canada’s 100% tariff on Chinese electric vehicles and levies on steel and aluminum, and China’s retaliatory measures on agri‑food exports.
- Beijing used the same briefing to criticize Canada’s new defence pact with the Philippines, signaling that broader geopolitical tensions continue.
- China also extended visa‑free entry for citizens of France and several other countries through December 31, 2026, and will grant visa‑free travel to Swedish citizens from November 10, 2025 through 2026.