Update | “Fast Track” System for UK Nationals Traveling to China

The China-Britain Business Council ("CBBC") has been contacted by the Chinese Embassy in London regarding the establishment of a “fast track” entry system for UK nationals wishing to travel to China on essential and urgent visits. Please find the full message shared with CBBC below. For more details we recommend contacting the Chinese Embassy in London direct.

“China and the UK are important partners for trade and economic cooperation, with vibrant cross-border exchanges of goods, services and personnel. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused major disruptions to bilateral economic and trade flows. In order to maintain and facilitate bilateral cooperation, and ensure stable and unimpeded industrial and supply chains in both countries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China is in close communication with the British Embassy in Beijing on the implementation plan for the “fast-track” entry arrangement for travelers on essential and urgent visits in the sectors of business, logistics, production and technical services between China and the UK.

Key points include:

• The “fast track” entry system will be applicable to eight Chinese provinces and municipalities, including Tianjin, Liaoning, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Shandong, Guangdong, Chongqing and Shaanxi.

  
  

• Under the system, an application will need to be submitted by companies of the UK travelers on essential and urgent businesses to the competent departments of commerce (or foreign affairs) of the provinces or municipalities for approval.

  
  

• The UK travelers can apply for Chinese visa after their applications are approved.

  
  

• To ensure the speediest possible return to work, the quarantine period for UK travelers on essential and urgent businesses in China will be significantly shortened, on condition that they’ve passed through health-screening before departing the UK and tested negative for the coronavirus after arriving in China. But they will be subject to “closed loop” management by their companies and supervision and management of local epidemic prevention and control agencies during their entire stay in China.

Please note that, UK travelers on essential and urgent trips to China in the sectors of business, logistics, production and technical services, who wish to use the “fast track” and agree to abide by the requirements in this plan, may submit applications to the competent Chinese departments for approval. We are willing to offer assistance as necessary in the process. China also welcomes similar arrangements to be made by the UK government for Chinese visitors on the basis of reciprocity and mutual benefit.”

www.cbbc.org

The China-Britain Business Council ("CBBC") is the UK’s national business network promoting trade and investment with China. Since 1954 we have acted as the independent voice of business, located at the heart of the action, engaging across both countries in every sector and region. We support our members and partners by delivering the advice, analysis and access which they need in order to seize the China opportunity. Our diverse membership includes leading UK companies and universities, many of the UK’s most dynamic SMEs, and an ever increasing number of Chinese companies exporting to and investing in the UK.

英中贸易协会（“CBBC”）是英国促进对华贸易和投资的国家级商业贸易网络。自1954年以来，我们一直作为独立的商业声音，处在行动的核心位置参与两国在每个行业和地区的合作。为了协助我们的会员与合作伙伴更好地抓住中国的商业机遇，英中贸易协会不遗余力地为其提供所需的商业建议、解析与渠道。我们的会员包括众多英国领先的公司与知名大学、英国最具活力的中小企业，以及越来越多向英国出口和在英国投资的中国企业等。