China, Canada facilitate issuing of visas

China and Canada have reached an agreement on visas for each other's citizens with a validity period of up to 10 years, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Sunday, marking the latest move by China to facilitate the issuing of visas.[Special coverage]

Wang made the remarks at a press conference in Beijing on the sidelines of the annual meeting of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature.

Referring to China's progress in facilitating visas last year, Wang said: "We signed visa exemption or simplification agreements with another 24 countries, equal to the total of the previous four years. Chinese citizens can now visit more than 50 countries or territories without a visa or obtaining a visa upon arrival."

Wang also mentioned the reciprocal visa arrangement announced by China and the United States last year.

"It means that a Chinese citizen has a visa and for up to five or even 10 years he or she can travel easily between the two shores of the Pacific Ocean with just a passport and an air ticket," Wang said.

As for Chinese citizens who need help abroad, Wang suggested that they dial the consular assistance hotline at 12308. In the six months since the launch of the hotline, more than 30,000 phone calls have been received.

"No matter which part of the world … if you run into trouble, you can dial this number and get prompt assistance from the Foreign Ministry and our diplomatic and consular missions abroad," Wang said.